PH’s Buytrago-Varga tandem bags silver in FIVB World Beach Pro Tour
Published April 15, 2024 3:04pm The Philippines secured a podium finish at the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures as the country concluded its hosting of the prestigious event. James Buytrago and Rancel Varga settled for a silver medal after bowing to Czech Republic’s Krystof Jan Oliva and Vaclav Kurka, 21-16, 16-21, 13-15, in […]
Tomas Kauer - News Moderator 
The Philippines secured a podium finish at the FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures as the country concluded its hosting of the prestigious event.
James Buytrago and Rancel Varga settled for a silver medal after bowing to Czech Republic’s Krystof Jan Oliva and Vaclav Kurka, 21-16, 16-21, 13-15, in the finals on Sunday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa.
“We are pleased to be on this stage, Blessed for the experience. It was a good run,” Varga said after their stellar run in front of the home crowd.
Buytrago added: “We fell short, but we are grateful for the experience.”
On the way to the championship round, the Filipino duo defeated Toms Liepa and Ernests Puskundzis of Latvia, 21-14, 21-16, in the semifinals to reassert their mastery as they also knocked down the same opponent in the pool play.
Despite falling short, Buytrago and Varga’s podium finish hiked the country’s achievements in beach volleyball after Sisi Rondina and Jovelyn Gonzaga delivered a gold medal during the FIVB World Beach Pro Tour Futures Subic in December 2022 by beating compatriots Gen Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
