Tempo

Varga, Buytrago in beach volley final

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The Philippine­s is assured of a silver medal in the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures as Rancel Varga and James Buytrago defeated Toms Liepa and Ernests Puskundzis of Latvia, 21-14, 21-16, in the semifinals on Sunday at the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa.

Varga and Buytrago overpowere­d the Latvian team that they also defeated in straight sets in pool play of the tournament featuring 38 teams from 16 countries.

“But we still considered ourselves the underdogs,” Buytrago said. “It’s an entirely different match, anything can happen so we approach it like any other match.”

Varga, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Saturday when they beat Japan’s Yusuke Ishijima and Kensuke Shoji of Japan in straight sets in the quarterfin­als, is glad the sacrifices are paying off for the team.

“We knew the task at hand and we knew we could not waste opportunit­ies like this. We went to bed early, woke up refreshed and ready to play,” said Varga.

The Cebuano duo arranged a title showdown with Krystof Jan Oliva and Vaclav Kurka of the Czech Republic, who beat Turkey’s Hasan Huseyin Mermer and Kurt Sacit, 22-20, 21-17, in the event backed by Smart Communicat­ions, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Senoh, Mikasa, Foton Motor Philippine­s Inc. and Seda Nuvali.

Varga and Buytrago wrapped up the match in 38 minutes.

Previous University Athletic Associatio­n of the Philippine­s rivals, Varga and Buytrago now adds to the Philippine­s’ recent achievemen­ts in beach volleyball.

In the FIVB World Beach Pro Tour Futures Subic in December 2022, the Philippine­s went 1-2 in the women’s division, with Sisi Rondina and Jovelyn Gonzaga earning the gold by beating Gen Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez.

Eslapor now competes with Kly Orillaneda, the duo bowing out of pool play in Santa Rosa.

Set to battle for the women’s title are teams from the US and Germany.

Americans Alaina Chacon and Mariah Whalen reached the final with a 21-18, 21-15 victory over Japan’s Riko Tsujimura and Takemi Nishibori.

 ?? ?? RANCEL Varga and James Buytrago
RANCEL Varga and James Buytrago

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