Volleyball players from all over the nation, 12 teams in the women’s category and 12 teams in the men’s category, ablaze their fiery determination to claim victory and be hailed as the 2023 Open Beach Volleyball Tournament champion. The event held on May 13-14, 2023, at the Kaputian Beach Park was facilitated by the City Investment and Tourism Office headed by Ms. Jennifer Cariaga with the cooperation of the Sports Development Section of CMO- Community Affairs division, headed by Mr. Eric Flores, Balibolista de Dabaw, and of the IGACOS Volleyball Association.
A good fight was raged on the white sand beach until victors emerged. In the women’s category, the team of Davao Del Norte, Dannah Angela Quisado and Mary Cris Asena, was declared as 3rd runner-up and brought home a cash prize worth 5,000 pesos, the team of Cebu, Reynelen Raterta and Therese Ramas is 2nd runner-up, taking home 10,000 pesos and the team of Medicull Bukidnon, Jessiel Quiap and Babylove Barbon is 1st runner-up, pocketing 15,000 pesos. Declared as the champion and bagging a cash prize worth 25,000 pesos, are the representatives of Be Fab Beauty Lounge of Iloilo city, Roma Mae Doromal and Roma Joy Doromal.
Meanwhile, in the Men’s category, the team of Philippine Army- B, Jayson Uy and Christian Mark Enciso, was announced 3rd runner-up and took home 5,000 pesos, the team of Philippine Army-A, Joshua Barrica and Jaidal Abdulmajid, is second runner-up and bagged 10,000 pesos and the team representing Atty. Reymar Dico-A, El Jhay Ronquillo and Deanne Neil Dolar De Pedro, is 1st runner-up, bringing home 15,000 pesos cash. Hailed as the champion, of the tournament and bagging a cash prize worth 25,000 pesos, is the team of Dominique Gabito and Anthony Arbasto Jr. representing UST MBB.
Aside from cash prizes, the winners also took home medals and commemorative trophies. Also, the other participants were given a consolation prize worth 2,000 pesos.
In his inspirational message, the City Councilor of Babak district, Hon. Jed Enumerables commended the people who made the event possible. He also expressed his gratitude to all of the players and encouraged them to keep their passion in the sport burning, “For those who did not make it to the championship, ayaw lang gyud mo og undang. Padayon lang gyud mo sa pag participate kay magka-anam anam lang gyud ta. Even to myself, ma-apply gyud nako ng ‘great things start from small beginnings’… Thank you so much ug unta kitang tanan mas mudaghan pa og this event mas mudako pa in the following years to come and we are again very glad to have you” he said.
City Investment and Tourism officer, Ms. Jennifer Cariaga expressed her gratitude to the players for visiting Samal to participate in the island’s 2nd Open Beach Volleyball tournament. She conveyed her hopes that the contenders might visit again and experience the fine Samaleṅo hospitability “Congratulations to all of our winners. Unta mubalik mo sa sunod na tuig… Thank you so much.” She said.
Also present in the event was City Councilor of Babak district, Hon. Renz Lacorte. (CIO-IGACOS/nbc/eli)
