First ‘bubble’ volleyball playoffs to happen at Subic Bay Freeport

SUBIC FREEPORT SAND COURTS. SBMA workers prepare the sand courts for the start of PSL’s 2021 Gatorade-Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup kicking off this February 26. (SBMA photo)
SUBIC FREEPORT SAND COURTS. SBMA workers prepare the sand courts for the start of PSL’s 2021 Gatorade-Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup kicking off this February 26. (SBMA photo)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The country’s first-ever volleyball tournament to be held under the Covid-19 pandemic will happen right here at the sand courts of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) from February 26 to 28.

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma said the 2021 Gatorade-PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup organized by Philippine Super Liga (PSL) will be held under a “sports bubble” concept approved under strict guidelines by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

The IATF through Resolution No. 79 issued on October 15, 2020, allowed the PSL volleyball tourney subject to strict observance of, among others, health and safety protocols finalized with the SBMA, the local Regional Task Force Covid-19, and the local Department of Health Center for Health Development.

“Because of this, there will be no spectators to be allowed at the tournament area, and only players and organizers and technical crew will be out there. But the games will be live-streamed on television and online channels,” Eisma, adding “it’s the second-best thing next to a playoff with a live audience, and I believe the excitement and intensity of the games won’t be diminished a bit by the restriction.”

Eisma added that under the sports bubble concept, all participants in the tournament, as well as the organizers and technical crew, will be housed in dedicated accommodation facilities and monitored by health and safety personnel. They will have no interaction with the public, she added.

The PSL said a total of eight teams will see action this season at the SBMA sand courts, which served as venue for an exciting beach volleyball meet during the 30th Southeast Asian Games in December 2019. These are Sta. Lucia, which is billed as the team to beat with veteran beach volley campaigners Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete, as well as DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia; guest team Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz, with the tandem of Ariane Luna Alarcon and Christina Canares; and F2 Logistics, with Jenny Mar Senares, Kyla Angela Gallego.

Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo, which will don the colors of United Auctioneers Inc., will join the fray with Ella Viray and Theresa Ramas; Abanse Negrense 1 with Alexa Polidario and Erjan Magdato; Abanse Negrense 2 with Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva; and Toby’s Sports with Jonah San Pedro and Javen Sabas.

PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico said this historic tourney will not be possible without the support of the participating teams, as well as IATF, which approved the bubble setup in Subic. (PR)

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