The Philippine beach volleyball teams are still in the running for a Tokyo 2020 Olympics berth.

After announcing the national team pools for the 2021 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) bared it will also send representatives to the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) beach volleyball continental cup in June.

The Philippines snagged a slot in the Southeastern zone as the men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams won bronze medals in the regional biennial meet staged in Subic in 2019.

The teams will buckle down to train immediately starting May 15 in Ilocos Norte to prepare for the Asian championships.

Only the winner of the continental tournament will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

Each country can send two teams per event in the single-round elimination tournament.

The PNVF said the women’s team led by top pair Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons has the best chance of making it far to the tournament.

Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez, who helped power the women’s squad to a SEA Games bronze, also made their return to the national pool.

Meanwhile, Jude Garcia, Jaron Requinton, and James Buytrago, who pocketed a SEA Games bronze in the men’s event, secured slots in the national pool as well.

Rhovyl Verayo was appointed the men’s team coach while Paul John Doloiras will mentor the women’s contingent.  – Rappler.com