Nestea Beach Volley Vis-Min leg on

The University of the Visayas tandem of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria will start to defend their national title as they take part in the 16th Nestea Beach Volley 2013 VISMIN leg today in Moalboal town, southwestern Cebu.
The UV spikers may have a tough battle ahead of them with organizers merging the Visayas and Mindanao eliminations. The tournament will follow a single elimination format.
UV coach Raffy Briones said despite all the pressure, his team is very much prepared to defend its national title.
For Visayas, UV is seeded second in the men’s division next to University of St. La Salle (USLS), whom they lost to in last year’s regional eliminations. However, it was UV who ended as the national champions after both teams advanced to the final leg in Boracay.
University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R), which lost to UV in the finals in Boracay, is seeded third while fourth is the University of San Carlos (USC).
In the women’s division, named as the top four teams are Central Philippines University, Southwestern University, USLS and USC.
Top 4 in the men’s division for Mindanao are University of Mindanao (UM), Mindanao State University, Holy Cross Davao and DMMA College of Southern Philippines.
The distaff side will have UM Tagum, UM Davao, Jose Maria College and Cor Jesu College of Digos Davao.
National technical director Otie Camangian said they will make sure that the top teams from Visayas and Mindanao will not meet in the first of five rounds.
A total of 64 teams will be seeing action, 32 for each men’s and women’s divisions. The matches will pause at 1 p.m. to give way to a short opening program.