Varga and Buytrago overpowered the Latvian team that they also defeated in straight sets in the pool play of the tournament featuring 38 teams from 16 countries.

Rancel Varga and James Buytrago kept the Philippine flag flying in the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures by advancing to the semifinals with a 21-15, 26-24 victory over Japan’s Yusuke Ishijima and Kensuke Shoji on Saturday, April 13.