JADE Becaldo and Rommel Pepito overpowered opponents to take the title of the Ilocos leg of the Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour in Ilocos Norte.
The duo defeated Team Hong Kong, 18-21, 21-14, 24-22, in the finals after burying Malaysia, 21-17, 21-17, in the semifinal round.
On top of the P50,000 top purse, the bigger, or rather more flattering reward for Becaldo was getting offered a slot in the national beach volleyball team.
Becaldo is no stranger to the national squad. He was recruited after winning the Nestea Beach Volleyball Tournament twice about four years ago. His experience playing for the national squad, then under Eric Lecain of the Philippine Sports Commission, makes Becaldo have second thoughts about returning.
“If they could promise me, this time, better support, I will definitely suit up for the country. Who doesn’t want to play for your country? The last time, I sacrificed three years of my life for the team. But it was traumatizing, that was why I left,” said Becaldo, who dropped out only after all the other members of the team did.
Logistics
Becaldo added they were so cash-strapped as members of the national team that they could only go out to buy necessary things if they had an upcoming tournament because only then were they given an allowance. If there were no tournaments, they only received an allowance for meals.
He added his passion to play for country was sparked when he was invited back. “I see the sport growing in the next year. The group plans to host FIVB tournaments and it will be an honor to play for the country,” he said.
When he left the team last year, he took up a coaching job with the University of the Visayas squad, which went on to win the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc., the regional Private Schools Athetic Association and the National finals as well.
Becaldo added that he is now looking to help organize the BVR Cebu leg, which looks to stage it in Moalboal on June 30.