Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — More than 200 participants are expected to compete in the 1st PLDT Home Fibr Pilipinas International Beach Sports Festival scheduled from February 26 to 28 at the Anvaya Cove Beach and Nature Club in Morong, Bataan.
Foreign and local participants will compete in three different events, including water polo, which will be 3-on-3 instead of 6-on-6, beach run, and open water swim event.
Aside from the local teams, foreign squads will likewise see action in the event as participants from China, Guam and Romania have confirmed in joining the three-day beach festival.
This will be the second time that water polo will be played in open water since organizer Optimum Sports, led by former national team member Dale Evangelista, started the event last year.
“We’d like to promote this year not just beach water polo but other beach sport activities, so we decided to include beach run and open water swimming events,” said Evangelista.
“Our main objective is to promote our sport water polo – particularly this beach water polo – and of course, healthy lifestyle,” added Evangelista, who is part of the men’s and women’s national team coaching staff.
Tani Gomez, the national team captain for men’s water polo, will compete in the event as part of Turbo Philippines. Last year, Gomez was part of the winning team that captured the first Pilipinas Water Polo title last year.
The beach run and the open water swim competitions will have participants in men’s and women’s to be divided in age groups in this three-day tournament backed by Sureshot Sportsville, Gardenia, Biker’s Café, Seafood Island, Turbo, Aqua Marina and Sante Barley.
