The 2024 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships are set to ignite the sand courts of Nuvali, located in the City of Santa Rosa, from November 5 to 10. The highly anticipated six-day event will feature top beach volleyball talent from across Asia, with both men’s and women’s teams competing for the championship title.
Leading the charge are Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic from Australia, who return to Nuvali aiming for another triumph after claiming victory at the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open in April. The Aussie duo is among the 20 women’s teams confirmed for the main draw, while eight other teams will compete in the qualifying round for the final four slots.
According to Ramon “Tats” Suzara, president of both the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation, this year’s edition will once again showcase high-level competition and bring together elite teams from across the region.
Top Teams Return to the Sand Courts
In the men’s division, Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab will also return to defend their title, having won the Nuvali Open earlier this year. The pair leads the pack of 20 men’s teams already secured in the main draw. Meanwhile, 19 other pairs will face off in the qualifying rounds to claim one of the four remaining spots.
The Philippines will field several strong contenders, including the Philippine Air Force duo of Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, who reached the Round of 16 at the Nuvali Open last summer. Also set for action are Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara from the University of Santo Tomas, who will participate directly in the main draw.
A third Filipino team, composed of Alexa Polidario of the Philippine Army and Jenny Gaviola of the Coast Guard, will compete in the qualifying rounds, hoping to secure a spot in the main tournament.
New Pairings for the Philippine Men’s Teams
In a strategic move, the PNVF has reconfigured the men’s roster for Alas Pilipinas, pairing Southeast Asian Games veterans Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago together. This new partnership aims to leverage their experience and boost the team’s chances in the competition.
Rancel Varga, who earned a silver medal alongside Buytrago at the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in April, will now team up with Lerry John Francisco for the tournament.
Other Filipino contenders in the men’s qualifiers include former University of Perpetual Help star Ronniel Rosales and ex-National University standout Edwin Tolentino, who are set to bring their skills to the sand in a bid for a main draw spot.
Excitement Builds for a World-Class Event
The 2024 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships will serve as a platform for Asia’s best beach volleyball athletes to showcase their skills. The competition at the Nuvali Sand Courts promises to be fierce, with high stakes as teams battle for podium finishes and regional glory.
Fans can look forward to exhilarating matches and high-energy performances, as returning champions and new challengers clash in what is expected to be a thrilling event.
