World Beach Pro Tour Challenge in Nuvali up

MANILA, Philippines — TOP beach volleyball action returns to the City of Santa Rosa with the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge Nuvali set November 28 to December 1.The Challenge level tournament offers ranking points toward the Elite16 of the BPT.Twenty-four teams in the men's tournament and 24 in the women's competition battle it out for honors, with a $75,000 pot at stake in each division.The teams will be divided into six pools of four teams each, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage of the event hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon "Tats" Suzara, also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the FIVB.Recently-crowned Asian Seniors Beach Volleyball champions D'Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse look to complete a double in Nuvali although they face fiercer competition with teams from across the globe vying for honors.Volleyball powerhouse Poland, France, Italy, Brazil, USA and Germany are fielding teams as well as perennial Asian contenders Japan and Thailand.The Philippines has three pairs on the men's side and two in the women's tournament.Ran Abdilla teams up with Lerry John Francisco, James Buytrago joins Rancel Varga, while Ronniel Rosales plays with Edwin Tolentino.Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor are entered in the women's event along with Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola. TMT