By Liwayway Yparraguirre/Philippine News Agency
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — The team of University of Luzon in Dagupan City will represent Pangasinan in the upcoming Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) competition on April 30 to May 1 here after it bagged the championship the Ladies Beach Volleyball 2019.
The team, top billed by Alexis Gonzales and Lyka Aquino, received PHP20,000 cash prize and an individual trophy each from Pangasinan 2nd district representative Leopoldo Bataoil, the main mover of beach volleyball in Pangasinan.
Aside from BVR, they will also be given a slot to play and compete at the Philippine Beach Games which will also be held also here in Pangasinan on May 25 and 26.
Team Sual placed second while Team Labrador National High School captured the third place.
Michelle Liwanag, Special Events and Projects coordinator at the Office of Congressman Leopoldo Bataoil, said 10 teams participated in the all-locals beach volleyball.
The Ladies Beach Volleyball held on April 27 and 28, was organized by the office Bataoil and is now on its 11th year. It is now on its ninth year as an event in the annual Pistay Dayat.
The all-locals team competition is on its second year after its successful holding last year.
Liwanag, in an interview Sunday, said last year’s Ladies Beach Volleyball had six teams from Metro Manila, and six teams from Pangasinan.
“When we started, it was very hard to invite or scout for players. First, they are not used to playing beach volleyball. But for the past three or four years, the problem is on how to screen teams and tell them the slots are filled up. It’s a good problem actually. Hopefully next year, we can accommodate more team,” she said.
Simultaneous with the beach games were exhibitions of Paragliding and Ultralight Planes.
The Ladies Beach Volleyball has become a part of the Pistay Dayat celebration after the provincial government collaborated with Bataoil with its inclusion.
Bataoil a retired Philippine National Police general, had been advocating for the holding of beach volleyball in the province not only to promote the sport and encourage local indoor volleyball players to embrace the sport, but also amplify sports tourism.
Bataoil stressed the vast Lingayen beach is perfect for beach games, such as volleyball.
Meanwhile, Bataoil also invited BVR to hold a tour in the province.
Last year, BVR’s were at Tondaligan Beach and participated in the Bangus Festival.
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