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Sand, surf and spike
Source: Inquirer
Author: Walter Ang
Date: 2001-03-07
 
SOME people spend their summer lying languorously under the sun. Other people use the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities.



Volleyball buffs will get a treat this summer as not one, not two, but three tournaments have been organized beginning February. Hoping to gather the country’s top young athletes in hard-hitting action this summer, Nestea hosts all three volleyball tournaments as it launches its Beach Volley Series.



First is the Inter-Collegiate Beach Volleyball Tournament. When this tournament started in 1997, 48 teams from different colleges and universities signed up to take up the challenge in Puerto Azul and Subic. Most of the participants consisted of curious athletes from Metro Manila who wanted to try this new activity.



By the tournament’s fourth year, a hundred teams joined. The participants came from different parts of the country. The venue was in Boracay, where the finals have since been held. Winners got the chance to represent the country in international beach volleyball competitions.



Now on its fifth year, the tournament has been re-christened the Nestea Beach Volley University Challenge. Elimination rounds were held from Feb. 21-25 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex. People will have to hold their breaths for a few weeks since the semifinals and the championship rounds won’t be held in Boracay until April 21-22.



Other tournaments



The Nestea National Open will be held for the first time on March 8-10 also at the CCP. Professional and amateur volleyball players across the country are expected to grace the event.



All the female winners from the National Open will represent the Philippines in the 2nd Nestea Asian Beach Volley Women’s Championships. From March 30-April 1, beach volleyball stalwarts from various countries in the Asia-Pacific region will display their athletic form at the CCP. It seems Pinoys are always the first ones to set the pace when it comes to having fun since this particular tournament has been officially declared as the first leg of this year’s Asian Beach Volleyball Circuit.



Don’t abuse it



The tournaments serve a dual purpose of promoting a healthy and wholesome lifestyle this summer and raising public awareness on the need to preserve our local beaches--definitely two issues that are usually at the top of any youth’s list of hot agendas. Beach shore and underwater clean-up have been scheduled together with the games in Cebu, Anilao in Batangas, Puerto Galera in Mindoro, Cavite and Manila Bay.



Nestea has already spearheaded the clean-up by launching the "Love the Beach" program side by side with its Beach Volley series. The program brings together environmental groups, sea divers, athletes and the tourism sector. They’ve even brought in celebrities like VJ Bianca Araneta, who is the program’s spokesperson. So start preparing those beach baskets, tote bags, and don’t forget to pack those volleyballs!

 

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