Three women’s pairs led by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, along with two men’s tandems, aim to secure spots in the main draw of the Volleyball World 2025 Beach Pro Tour Challenge. Matches begin Wednesday, October 15, at Nuvali Sands Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga face Edwin Tolentino and Larry John Francisco in the first round at 9 a.m. James Buytrago and Ran Abdilla, seeded in the men’s bracket, automatically advance past the qualification round.

Buytrago said, “It’s good that we are seeded and do not need to play in the qualifiers. That will keep us fresh for the main draw.” He and Abdilla won bronze at the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

Key Filipino athletes and tournament overview

Official pairings for the qualifiers were confirmed Tuesday afternoon. Buytrago and Abdilla are among 24 men’s teams seeded into the 32-pair main draw. They hope to improve on last year’s quarterfinal finish.

Other Filipino men’s teams include Jenny Gaviola and Alexa Polidario, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez, and Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor. The women’s duo of Rondina and Pons, ranked 137th in the world, will compete directly in the main draw.

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The tournament features top international talent, including defending men’s champions Jacob Holting Nilsson and Elmer Andersson of Sweden. The 2025 edition draws 65 men’s pairs from 25 nations and 46 women’s duos from 15 countries.