Top collegiate standouts will represent Alas Pilipinas in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open, which kicks off on Wednesday at the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Among the featured players are UAAP Season 87 champions Kat Epa and Honey Grace Cordero of National University (NU) and runners-up Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). These rival pairs will now team up as they compete for the country in the 44-team, 11-nation tournament.

Philippines’ Top Talents Ready for International Competition

Alas Pilipinas will also be reinforced by Stanford University’s Sunny Kalani Villapando, who partners with Jenny Gaviola of the Philippine Coast Guard. Meanwhile, veteran Alexa Polidario of the Philippine Army will pair with UST’s Lorien Ysobel Gamboa in a bid to challenge top international competitors at the world-class Nuvali facility.

In the men’s division, the Philippines will be led by James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, silver medalists in the FIVB Futures Nuvali. Other Filipino teams include NU’s Edwin Tolentino and the Coast Guard’s Lerry John Francisco, as well as Ronniel Rosales of Perpetual Help and Alexander Jhon Iraya of NU.

International Stars Eye the Title

The tournament will also showcase elite beach volleyball players from across Asia and beyond. Australia’s Stefanie Fejes, last year’s Nuvali Open champion, is back to defend her crown, this time partnering with Jasmine Fleming, a runner-up in the previous edition.

Thailand’s squad is led by Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, while China’s challenge comes from Yan Xu and Zhou Mingli.

For the men’s side, reigning champions Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab of Iran return to defend their title, with Thailand’s Pithak Tipjan and Poravid Taovato also looking to avenge their runner-up finish. D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse of Australia, the reigning Asian Senior Beach Volleyball champions, are among the favorites in the stacked field.

Also in the mix are teams from Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Uzbekistan, all vying for a spot on the podium.

Tournament Format

The competition will feature 20 women’s teams and 24 men’s pairs. Pool play runs from Wednesday to Thursday, followed by the Round of 16 and quarterfinals on Friday. The tournament will conclude on Saturday with the semifinals and medal matches.

With a $2,500 prize (around P143,000) for the champions, the stakes are high for the competing squads.

Alas Pilipinas will look to make an impact in front of their home crowd, with the nation’s brightest young talents set to take on some of the best in Asia and beyond.