It’s going to be an uphill climb for reigning champion Jovelyn Gonzaga as she battles a sturdy cast of competitors in the 2017 Belo-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup starting this Thursday at the SM By the Bay in Mall of Asia.
Bannering a new team in Cignal HD A, Gonzaga is tipped to have a hard time defending her crown as Petron Sprint 4, Generika-Ayala A and Sta. Lucia parade some of the country’s finest players ever to play on the sand.
Petron Sprint 4 will have UAAP stalwarts Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons while Generika Ayala A will be starred by Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos, who used to be Gonzaga’s beach volleyball teammate for Central Philippine University when she ruled a commercial tournament in Boracay in 2012 and 2013.
Also tipped to make an impact are the Lady Realtors who will be represented by Jackilyn Estoquia and Danika Gendrauli, who dominated the event’s inaugural season in 2015.
“It’s going to be very difficult,” said Gonzaga, the former Southeast Asian Games bidder who will have fellow veteran Maica Morada as partner in this prestigious tourney bankrolled by Stoked, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh, Rebisco and SM By the Bay.
“All teams will be bringing in their best players and everybody prepared very well for this tournament. We have to work doubly hard for us to win the title.”
Aside from Cignal HD A, Petron Sprint 4, Generika-Ayala A and Sta. Lucia, also expected to make a serious run for the crown are Cyd Demecillo and Fritz Gallenero of F2 Logistics A; Aby Maraño and Cha Cruz of F2 Logistics B; Ces Molina and Bang Pineda of Petron XCS; Rosalie Pepito and Kat Arado of Generika-Ayala B; Janine Marciano and Mylene Paat of Cignal HD B; Abie Nuval and Wensh Tiu of Cocolife; Marijo Medalla and Bianca Tripoli of Perpetual; and Kathleen Barrinuevo and Cherilyn Sindayen of Foton.
PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said although the team of Gonzaga and Morada are slightly favored, other teams are also capable of pulling off a surprise.
“This is going to be very exciting because Jovelyn will be up against equally strong and good players,” said Suzara during the press launch graced by PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico, Belo marketing manager Mario Garcia, TV5 sports director Patricia Hizon and tournament director Ginio Panganiban.