The Philippine National Volleyball Federation hastily called up the country’s national beach volleyball teams not just to prepare for the 31st Southeast Asian Games.
The country will also be competing in the 2018–2020 AVC Continental Cup Final from June 21-27.
The Continental Cup is an important event since it also serves as a qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.
“The two beach volleyball teams, they are now going to play in Thailand for the Continental Cup. This is a qualification for the Tokyo Olympics,” bared PNVF National Team Commission head Tony Boy Liao when he guested on Radyo5’s Power & Play.
Currently, there are six slots still available for the Olympics out of 24. One will go to the Asian Volleyball Confederation for both men’s and women’s teams.
Japan already has a team in both men’s and women’s for the global meet since it is hosting the Games. China’s women’s team and Qatar’s men’s squad have also qualified.
Due to the third place finish of the women’s team consisting of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dzi Gervacio, and Dij Rodriguez; and the men’s squad of Jude Garcia, Jaron Rquinton, James Buytrago, and Edmar Bonono, the Philippines can qualify for the continental cup.
Liao hopes that the PNVF’s plans of starting its training bubble this month pushes through. The national teams can then compete at a high level come the tournament which Thailand will likely host.
“May pag-asa kaso sa beach volleyball, matagal na tayo hindi sumasali diyan [sa Continental Cup],” he said.
“During the SEA Games, we were able to get two bronze medals with little preparation. Sana ngayon, talagang gusto ng magumpisa ng training for the June Continental Cup.”
