Alas Pilipinas stars Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons to lead 13-team field in PNVF Beach Volleyball Invitational

Top Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons will lead the 13-team women's field in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball Invitational.

The two-day tournament, organized by Beach Volleyball Republic, will take place at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna, starting Saturday.

This event serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next month.

Alongside Rondina and Pons, other Alas duos competing include Alexa Polidario-Jenny Gaviola, Kly Orillaneda-Gen Eslapor, and Sunny Villapando-Dij Rodriguez.

Rondina and Pons previously won the PNVF National Open in May, defeating Villapando and Rodriguez in an all-Alas final.

Defending women's champions from the University of Santo Tomas, Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella, will have new pairings this year.

National University will also field a strong team in the women's division with Vilmarie Toos and Laiza Benigay.

In the men's division, last year's champions Ranran Abdilla and James Buytrago of Air Force will lead three Alas squads.

Other notable men's teams include national team mainstays Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga, as well as Edwin Tolentino and Lerrie Francisco.