MANILA, Philippines – The Air Force duo of Judy Caballejo and Coyah Abanto, and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Thunders Henry Pecaña and KR Guzman triumphed in the first leg of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) on Tour in 2018, held in Ilocos Sur last weekend.

Caballejo and Abanto outlasted 11 other teams in the women's division. They defeated the tandem of BVR founder Bea Tan and former Adamson University star Amanda Villanueva of Team Perlas 2 in the finals, 21-15, 23-21.

The UST pair of Babylove Barbon and Genesa Eslapor took the bronze medal.

In the men's division, Pecaña and Guzman of the UST alumni team defeated the pair of Jade Bacaldo and Fort Libres, who were representing University of the Visayas.

• READ: Tigers start year right by winning BVR Ilocos Sur

The UST Thunders won, 21-18, 21-13.

The Hong Kong pair of Brian Nordberg and Giovanni Musillo settled for third place.

Air Force 1 and UST alumni took home the top prize worth P50,000, with the second and third placers earning P30,000 and P20,000, respectively.

BVR co-founder and former Ateneo de Manila University star Dzi Gervacio said beach volleyball fans can expect a more competitive and exciting season in 2018.

"This has been the first BVR on Tour leg and we are excited to be visiting more of our country's shores to spread our love for the sport, elevate the competition and especially grow the game of beach volleyball," said Gervacio.

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