Sportsbits

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The provincial government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN), through the initiative of Senior Provincial Board Member Matthew Marcos Manotoc, continues to boosts “sports tourism” campaign, welcoming the Beach Volleyball Republic, Inc. (BVR) on tour with its two-day tournament at the Playa Tropical Resort Hotel, Currimao town on Sunday.

BVR is an organization formed in 2015 by a group of Philippine professional volleyball players, including former Ateneo Lady Eagles Charo Soriano and Bea Tan, aiming to promote beach volleyball in the country.

Local participants representing Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), played by the duo, Emmanuel Versoza and John Paul Lorenzo, landed in the quarter finals despite playing the beach volleyball for the first time. (Freddie G. Lazaro)

Defending champion FEU-NRMFGerry's Grill and Philippine Christian University fashioned out similar convincing victories in the 2017 MBL Open basketball tournament at the fully air-conditioned FEU-NRMF gym in Fairview.

Fil-German Glen Gravengard made his presence felt from the long court and Clay Crellin and Moustapha Arafat asserted themselves in the shaded area as FEUNRMF outgunned UNTV Cup champion Philippine National Police, 95-73, for its fourth win in five matches.

Gravengard, one of the talented newcomers seeking to land a spot in the coming PBA Draft, hit five three-point shots on the way to a game-high 25 points for the Tamaraws of manager Nino Reyes and coach Pido Jarencio.

Crellin, who earned MVP honor while leading FEU to the title against Emilio Aguinaldo College in last year's MBL Open, added 15 points.