MANILA — Pauline Gaston and Roma Mae Doromal headline a stacked field as they make their long-awaited return to the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) On Tour, with the Sipalay Open firing off Saturday at Poblacion Beach in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers standouts lead one of the most competitive women’s divisions in recent years, featuring 12 teams including entries from Alas Pilipinas, Australia, and reigning Nuvali champions National University.
Gaston returns to the sand for the first time since September 2018, when she teamed up with Jules Samonte in Grand Ola, while Doromal marks her comeback after her last BVR appearance in March 2019 alongside her sister Roma Joy during the Puerto Galera and Santa Fe swing.
Their return adds intrigue to a field already brimming with title contenders, with the Solar Spikers pair sharpening their form after two weeks of intensive training on sand courts.
Defending Sipalay champion Honey Grace Cordero, who ruled the 2023 edition before finishing runner-up last year, will partner with Vilmarie Toos as the National University tandem eyes back-to-back titles.
However, the NU pair is expected to face a stiff challenge from Alas Pilipinas’ Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor, who are seeking redemption after falling short against Cordero and Toos in the Nuvali Open last March.
Adding international flavor to the tournament are Australian newcomers Brooke Ronan and Elena Hillard, who are set to debut in the Philippine beach volleyball circuit.
Also returning to action are decorated veterans Sisi Rondina and Dij Rodriguez, marking their first BVR On Tour stint since the 2021 Santa Ana bubble legs.
Rondina, a five-time BVR On Tour champion, and Rodriguez, a three-time winner, were part of the Southeast Asian Games gold medal-winning squad in Thailand last year along with Villapando and Bernadeth Pons. Eslapor also served as a reserve member of the team.
Completing the women’s lineup are National University’s Kat Epa and Kizil Quijote, Beach Volleyball Manila’s Kly Orillaneda and Euri Eslapor, Alexa Polidario and Jenny Gaviola, Bacolod’s Erjane Magdato and Bianca Lizares, Ateneo alumni Fille Cayetano and Bea Tan, La Salle’s Abi Sinson and Michaella Tandoc, and homegrown Sipalay bets Jastine Amaro and Kimberly Babe Debuyan.
The Sipalay Open serves as the second leg of this year’s BVR On Tour, with top local and international pairs vying for supremacy in one of the country’s premier beach volleyball destinations./PN
