THE Kiwi Beach Resort in Sipaway Island in coordination with the local government unit of San Carlos and San Carlos City United Volleyball Players Association (SCCUPVA), Inc. launched the 1st Kiwi Invitational Women’s Open Beach Volleyball Tournament Saturday, June 3, 2023.
At least 12 teams, the San Carlos Team A, Toliz Cafe, Royal Villa, City Designs, Guimaras Titans, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R), Silliman University, ECT Farm, Ready Set Go, SCCUPVA, Pontevedra and Colegio de Sto. Tomas-Recoletos (CST-R) joined the 2-day event.
Cash prizes include P15,000 for the champion; P10,000 for the 1st runner-up; P7,000 for the 2nd runner-up; P5,000, for the 3rd runner-up; P3,000 for the 4th runner-up; and consolation prizes of P1,000 for each non-winning team.
Engineer Elorde Ecoy, Kiwi Beach Resort Owner and Sponsor said the event aimed at promoting the resort and the whole of Sipaway Island as a tourism destination.
Satisfied with the outcome, Ecoy is already planning to hold a 2nd tournament with more participants from other cities.
He thanked Mayor Renato Gustilo, Tourism Office, and SCCUPVA for making the event possible.
Virgilio Reantoco Jr., SCCUPVA president, complimented Ecoy for promoting beach volleyball which could boost the tourism industry in San Carlos City.
On the other hand, Ateneo Blue Eagles Women's Volleyball Team Beautiliza Lomocso, a Sipaway Island resident playing for the San Carlos Team A, is grateful to be playing in the tournament since she did not play beach volleyball for a year.
She shared that playing volleyball paved the way for her university scholarship and helped boost her self-confidence, being a shy person.
Participants Gelimae Villanueva and Kyla Gallego of UNO-R and Edrilyn Carbajosa of San Carlos Team A also welcomed the chance to play in said tournament as a way of honing their skills in preparation for the upcoming Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games in Zamboanga, this July.
City Mayor Renato Gustilo with local functionaries Executive Assistant to the City Mayor Airene Rose Gustilo, CDRRM Officer Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr., Integrated Waste Management/Pollution Control Division Head of the City Environment Management Office Engr. Arthur Batomalaque and Tourism Operations Officer 1 Jennifer Saballa-Paran; Jackie Tomacruz, UTP General Manager; and League Magazine representatives graced the event. (PR)