SANTA ROSA CITY: The 2024 Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships are set to commence on November 5 at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. Among the competitors, Australian duo Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic will be returning to the Philippines with hopes of securing a second title, leading a contingent of 19 other pairs in this six-day event.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fejes and Milutinovic previously triumphed at the Nuvali Open last April, defeating fellow Australians Jasmine Fleming and Georgia Johnson in a closely contested match. The event is hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), under the leadership of Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara, who is also the president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation. Suzara announced that eight additional teams will compete in the qualifying rounds for four remaining slots in the main draw.
In the men’s division, Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab, who also claimed victory at the Nuvali Open, will return
to headline their category. The qualifying stage will see 19 pairs competing for the open spots in the main draw.
Jasmine Fleming is set to return as well, this time partnering with Elizabeth Alchin. Local competitors Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda from the Philippine Air Force, who reached the Round of 16 in the previous Nuvali Open, will also be participating. Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara of the University of Santo Tomas have secured a spot in the main draw, while Alexa Polidario of the Philippine Army and Jenny Gaviola of the Coast Guard must navigate the qualifying rounds.
In the men’s competition, James Buytrago will join forces with fellow Southeast Asian Games veteran Ran Abdilla. They previously won a silver medal in the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures. Additionally, Rancel Varga, who will be paired with Lerry John Francisco, and Ronniel Rosales teaming with Edwin Tolentino, will add to the competitive field.