SEAG victory for women's beach volleyball team seen

By Marc Anthony Reyes Inquirer MANILA, Philippines--The country has a strong chance at the women’s beach volleyball gold if the Southeast Asian Games were to be held today. Tony Boy Liao, manager of the Fil-Am tandem of Heidi Ilustre and Diane Pascua, made this bold claim Wednesday, noting that the bronze medalists of the 2005 SEAG are now in “top shape.” “If the SEA Games is held today, there’s a strong chance we can win the (beach volley) gold medal,” said Liao. “And I’m not discounting the fact that the SEA Games will be held in Thailand.” Liao added that Ilustre and Pascua have climbed to 41st in the world rankings after joining the World Tour starting early this year. Currently training in Los Angeles, the two are scheduled to come home on Oct. 28 on their way to the Phuket leg of the World Tour on the 29th and the Hong Kong stop on Nov. 5. They still have one more leg before the Dec. 6-16 SEAG. Thailand captured the gold and silver medals during the 2005 edition held in Bacolod City. The homegrown pair of Michelle Carolino and Michelle Laborte, who are set to compete in Malaysia for a tune-up event, will be the other SEAG women’s team. Mowrey Chad and Parley Tupaz and Christian Tuyay and Rhovyl Verayo are the men’s beach volley bets.