Silver medals for Bellos at BPT Challenge event in Nuvali

The twin brothers won five matches in a row as they enjoyed a run to the final at the Beach Pro Tour Challenge event in Nuvali – and only missed out on the top prize in a nail-biting deciding set against Spaniards Alejandro Huerta and Adrián Gavira. 

After a three-month lay-off due to an injury to Javier earlier in the season, the pair have been gradually rebuilding fitness and momentum in the second half of the season. 

And it all came together in the Philippines, starting out with two tight wins in Pool E, opening up with a win against Gabriel Dos Reis Santiago and Felipe Alves Pereira of Brazil, coming out on top by a 24-22, 18-21, 15-13 margin. 

It was the start of a theme throughout the tournament, with each of their six matches in total going the distance. 

Next up was a victory over Italians Tiziano Andreatta and Davide Benzi, which ensured they finished top of the pool and enjoyed a rest day by taking an automatic place in the Last 16 (21-14, 18-21, 15-11). 

As their knockout campaign underway, next to be defeated by the Bellos were Belgians Kyan Vercauteren and Joppe Van Langendonck, this time coming from a set down to edge it 14-21, 21-19, 19-17. 

It was also a close run thing in their quarter-final against Samuele Cottafava and Gianluca Dal Corso as they came through 21-23, 25-23, 15-11 after again hitting back. 

A third Italian pair awaited them in the semi-finals, Manuel Alfieri and Alex Ranghieri and, for a third game running, they rallied to triumph after dropping the first set (11-21, 21-19, 15-11). 

The final itself against Huerta and Gavira saw the Spaniards take the first set 21-17, but the Bellos showed typical grit and determination to claim the next 21-18 and tee up a decider. 

It was neck and neck throughout the set with the teams locked at 14-14 and after the Spaniards went 15-14 up from the Bellos’ serve, they closed out the match when Joaquin hit a spike just wide. 

"We’re really happy to be back on the podium and the way we fought through the draw. We were tired after many weeks on the road but worked really hard and felt great support as always from our fans in the Philippines," said Javier.

"We are getting close to our best and now fully focused on the World Championships in a few weeks. It’s going to be a very exciting time and we will be ready to leave everything on the sand again."

The Bellos can reflect on an excellent Nuvali campaign as they prepare for the World Championships, having pulled out of the Cape Town BPT Elite 16 this week to concentrate on that event. 

Image courtesy of Beach Volleyball World.