AFTER having been around the block for a long time, Cebuano beach volleyball player Jade Becaldo has earned the monicker “The Legend” from the beach volleyball community of the country.
It is a name he takes seriously. And a title he tries his hardest to live up to.
The other weekend, Becaldo, half of the Ato ni Bai duo with Calvin Sarte, snatched the Puerto Galera leg of the Beach Volleyball Republic—his fourth in the last six legs—despite suffering from shoulder injury after beating Team Kremie’s KR Guzman and Permie Bagalay, 21-13, 21-17, in the finals.
This was an improvement to his two straight second place finishes in the last two legs.
Because of this, Becaldo was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
“I was already injured before the Puerto Galera leg. I was playing in an indoor volleyball league when I tore a tissue on my shoulder. It got worse in Puerto Galera,” Becaldo said.
Becaldo added that he was just thankful that they managed to pull through in BVR.
“They gave me the monicker “The Legend” and that is difficult to live up to. That is why I worked really hard to survive Puerto Galera,” added Becaldo.
“I’m honored to have been called that. Lawom kaau nga monicker and makathink ko kung bagay ba gyud na nako. Pero gipanindigan lang nako aron dili sad masayang ilang gihatag nga honor nako,” he said.
In the last six BVR legs, Becaldo, who had to change partners thrice, had made it to the finals and won four.
He and former partner Rommel Pepito won the first three legs in Ilocos Norte, Moalboal and Cagayan Valley. He and Pepito finished second in Legzpi. He teamed up with Fort Libres in Ilocos Sur and they finished second before reclaiming the title in Puerto Galera this time with Sarte.
The Puerto Galera leg attracted 16 teams in both the men’s and women’s divisions. Team Perlas of veterans Charo Soriano and Bea Tan defeated Genesa Eslapor and BeLove Barbon of the University of Sto. Tomas, 21-14, 26-24.
Becaldo, meanwhile, will be spending the week resting his shoulders before once more jumping into action in the Bantayan Island leg of BVR, which is expected to attract local beach volleyball teams.
“I am hoping to continue winning. Every tournament I always target to at least make it to the finals. For Bantayan, I still target that and hopefully still go on and win the leg,” Becaldo added.
The Bantayan leg will be on March 10. (MCB)