By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons see another exciting finish but nonetheless expressed confidence of keeping their crown as the 2018 Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup fires off today at the Sands by the Bay in Pasay City.
Rondina, a four-time UAAP beach volleyball Most Valuable Player and five-time champion, and Far Eastern University veteran Pons carry the Petron XCS flag when they face 11 other female squads in the four-day affair.
“It’s going to be physically and mentally challenging for us, seeing how competitive the lineup for this year,” said Pons in Filipino.
The pair is bracketed with heavyweights like Nene Bautista and Danika Genrauli of Cocolife-A, and Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos of Generika Ayala-A.
Pool B is composed of Sta. Lucia-A’s Dhannylaine Demontano and Jackielyn Estoquia, Cignal-A’s Mylene Paat and Rap Aguilar, and Generika Ayala-B’s Sheeka Espinosa and Bang Pineda.
Pool C has Smart’s Cecilia Bangad and Caitlyn Viray, Foton’s Nieza and Jeziela Viray, and Cignal-B’s Cherry Vivas and Jannine Navarro, while Pool D his composed of F2 Logistics’ Fritz Joy Gallenero and Mich Morente, Cocolife-B’s Marge Tejada and Denice Tan, and Sta. Lucia-B’s Jonah Sabeta and Bianca Lizares.
Teams will play a round-robin elimination format with the top two squads from each pool advancing to the quarterfinals, then semifinals, then final round.
