Courtesy: Cherry Rose Rivera-Macatangay
Alas Pilipinas team manager Cherry Rose Rivera-Macatangay remains optimistic about the Philippine beach volleyball teams’ chances of securing a historic berth in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics through the ongoing AVC Beach Continental Cup 2026 in Shangluo, China.
The continental tournament serves as an Olympic qualifying pathway, with the men’s and women’s champions earning direct berths to the 2028 Games.
The Alas Pilipinas women’s pair of Khylem Progella and Sophia Pagara currently leads Pool C with a perfect 2-0 record after scoring back-to-back straight-set victories over Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, putting the Filipinas in a strong position to advance to the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, the SiPons tandem of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons sits second in Pool E.
SiPons endured a slow start after dropping its opening match to Thailand, 1-2, on Wednesday. The Filipinas bounced back Thursday morning, however, sweeping Uzbekistan, 2-0 (21-8, 21-8), to secure their first win of the tournament.
Only the top two teams from each pool will advance to the Round of 16.
In an interview with Sports Radio 918, Rivera-Macatangay expressed pride in seeing the Alas beach volleyball players’ determination to chase their Olympic dream.
“Yung willingness nila na manalo talaga, ginagawa nila ang lahat para manalo sila,” said Rivera-Macatangay.
“Yung goal nila is, ‘gusto naming maglaro ng Olympics, kaya namin ’to!’ Ganyan yung mind-setting nila na talagang pinupush talaga nila yung sarili nila, ginagawa nila yung makakaya nila para sa mga laro namin dito,” added Rivera-Macatangay.
A former national athlete herself, Rivera-Macatangay was part of the Philippine teams that won silver and bronze medals at the 1995 and 2005 Southeast Asian Games, respectively.
She said it would be a proud moment to witness the beach volleyball teams make history by qualifying for the Olympics.
“Sobrang happy ako if ever na mangyayari yun. Pinagpe-pray natin na sana kasi history yan na mangyayari sa atin. Kung sakali na makakapunta kami ng LA, ang beach volleyball, history yan sa atin. Very proud ako sa kanilang lahat,” shared Rivera-Macatangay.
She also credited the dedication and contributions of the team’s local and Brazilian coaches in helping the players pursue their Olympic aspirations.
The 10th-seeded Progella-Pagara pair returns to the sand tonight at 7:50 p.m., where it will shoot for its third straight victory against third seeds Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami of Japan.
Eighth seeds SiPons, meanwhile, faces Australia’s fifth seeds Jasmine Fleming and Elizabeth Alchin at 8:40 p.m.
In the men’s division, James Buytrago and Ronniel Rosales suffered their third straight loss after falling to Lebanon, 0-2 (18-21, 18-21).
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