Mexicans Virgen and Candelas are big guns in Boca Chica

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, March 27, 2013 – Mexico’s Juan Virgen and Bibi Candelas, owners of several records of NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit, are registered to play in Boca Chica during the Easter weekend.

Virgen, the all-time winningest player in the history of the circuit, is among the pre-tournament favorites, the second stop of the year.

Virgen, who teams up with Lombardo Ontiveros, won fourteen of his 16 crowns playing alongside with now retired Aldo Miramontes. The duo of Virgen and Ontiveros won twice last year.

The resident of Nayarit, who turns 26 on April 9, holds most of the all-time NORCECA records in the men’s category, including most victories in a season with five in 2010 and most podiums (7) in 2011.

The 1.98 meters Virgen, has been on the podium 21 times, including four silvers and one bronze, only behind of Puerto Rican Roberto “Rafu” Rodríguez, who has 24 (six golds) and is the defending champion.

He won his first tournament in 2008 in Guatemala and shares with Rodriguez and Miramontes the record for most consecutive wins (3) which he has done twice.

His compatriots Bibi Candelas and Martha Revueltas, also competing in Boca Chica starting on Friday, are among the best women players of all-time in the regional circuit.

Candelas, silver medalist at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara and who played for most of her career with Mayra Garcia, has been partnering with Revueltas since last year.

Candelas shares with Puerto Rican Yarleen Santiago the record for most career wins with 9 gold medals while Revuelta has the most overall medals with 21 (one gold, nine silvers and 11 bronzes).

The preliminary rounds of the Boca Chica Beach Volleyball Tournament are scheduled on Friday and Saturday with the semifinals and medal matches on Sunday.

Men’s teams

Chaim Schalk-Benjamin Saxton (CAN-A), Christian Redman-Maciej Zbyszewski (CAN-B), Luis Castillo-Alex Medina (DOM-A), Luis Rodriguez-Francisco Arredondo (DOM-B), Joseph Clercent-Julian Bissette (LCA), Roberto Rodriguez-Eric Haddock (PUR-A), Héctor Soto-Víctor Rivera (PUR-B), Simon Blake-Daneil Williams (TRI), Brad Keenan -John Mayer (USA-A), James Drost-William Montgomery (USA-B), Marc Lomeli-Anthony Pippen (ISV).

Women’s teams

Jamie Broder-Kristina Valjas (CAN-A), Heather Bansley-Elizabeth Maloney (CAN-B), Nairobi Agramonte-Diana Peguero (DOM-A), Karla Montilla-Deborah Constanzo (DOM-B), Mega Boiton-Pamela Jaime (DOM-C), Maria Orellana-Lourdes Ramirez (GUA), Gina Flores-Martha Euceda (HON), Bibi Candelas-Martha Revuelta (MEX), Jennifer Fopma-Brooke Sweat (USA-A), Brittany Hochevar-Summer Ross (USA-B).