The finishing touches at the Subic Bay Sand Court were put in place two days before the start of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures on Tuesday at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in Zambales.
International Volleyball Federation technical delegate Barry “Baz” Wedmaier of Australia scrutinized preparations for the eventâparticularly specifications in the competition, training and administrative venuesâthat starts Thursday (Dec. 8) with the men and women qualifiers.
âTD Baz is very specific about the venue that it adheres to FIVB standards,â said Ramon âTatsâ Suzara, president of the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF). âAnd itâs all systems go.â
Wedmaier was accompanied in the final inspection on Tuesday by tournament director Mayi Molit-Prochina, competition director Adrian Tabanag, venue manager Cherry Rose Macatangay, venue director Engineer Joseph Remollena and administrative director Antonio Carlos.
Thursdayâs schedule for the qualifiers of the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT Home and Rebisco and also backed by Akari, F2 Logistics, Asics, SBMA, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart Giga Play, Cignal Play, OneSports, OneSports+, Senoh and Mikasa will be determined after the preliminary inquiry on Wednesday (December 7).
Four teams from both genders will advance to the main draw that starts Friday and ends with the finals on Sunday (Dec. 11).
Eleven teams from Thailand, Czech Republic, Australia, Japan, USA, Israel and Austria will vie in the menâs qualifiers with the top four teams joining 11 squads from host Philippines (three), Latvia, Thailand, Gambia, Japan, Israel and Lithuania in the main draw.
The women qualifiers have 14 teamsâJapan, Norway, Singapore, Czech Republic, Netherlands, USA, Canada, South Korea and Franceâwith the top four joining 12 teams from the Philippines (three), Japan, Thailand, Lithuania, Singapore, Israel, Italy and Austria