BY ABBY TORALBA
AFTER being sidelined for three seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, beach volleyball is back in the NCAA.
The sport returns today as the 98th NCAA beach volleyball tourney gets going at the Subic Subic Bay Freeport Zone in Zambales.
Hosted by Perpetual Help, the beach volleyball meet will be held until Saturday in both the women’s and men’s divisions.
San Beda University and Emilio Aguinaldo College look to defend their respective titles and aim for a three-peat.
The Lady Red Spikers launch their bid against Arellano University, while the Generals face Jose Rizal University.
Back in 2019 when the last beach volleyball event was held, twins Iza and Ella Viray led San Beda to back-to-back crowns, while Joshua Pitogo and Joshua Mina powered EAC to a second straight diadem.
Iza Viray was hailed as the women’s MVP, while Mina was named best player in the men’s division.
Meanwhile, the league’s volleyball event is set to kick off in mid-February, according to a reliable source.
In the previous season, the College of Benilde Lady Blazers dethroned Arellano University Lady Chiefs and completed a historic season sweep.
The league is also expected to bring back the men’s volleyball event that was last played in 2019 when the Perpetual Altas claimed a second diadem in a row.
