3rd Guv Cup: MLSDF Mandaue shocks Talisay

The M. Lhuilier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF)-sponsored Mandaue City squad was being gracious as host, but not on the playing court as it humiliated defending champion Talisay City in straight sets in the lone match kicking off the 3rd Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup for Women yesterday at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

Thus, Mandaue came to be the first winner of the record-field 49 entries of the province-wide tournament, setting off a bright tone for their championship campaign.

The Mandaue belles, the much ballyhoed squad before the competition could actually begin, showed why they are the early favorites.

 Talisay City tried to utilize their championship experience, but they practiced as a team only for the five days. That pales in comparison to the rigid preparation the Mandaue belles had gone through for the past three weeks.

And the Mandauehanons made sure their efforts won’t go to waste as they raided the first set via a 25-20 decision.

In the second set, the MLSDF-Mandaue went off to a sizzling start, 5-0. Talisay retaliated with a 12-0 spurt behind the impressive serves of its team captain Mischelle Gimarino, but Mandaue countered with a similar 12-0 rally on the way to wrap up the match with a 25-17 victory.

Responsible for Mandaue’s furious offensive charge were Ellen Pongase and Danika Yolanda Gendrauli, the  Most Valuable Player in volleyball during last week’s 12th Milo Little Olympics at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Actually, Floriane Gutierrez and Gimarino tried so hard to keep up with Mandaue’s kind of game, but could only do as much with their teammates making a lot of errors and miscommunications.

Losing its first game, however, did only a little worry for Talisay coach Henjie Ginojales  as his main concern is to how bring his team to the next round in Cluster 7, a new cluster in the event. All cities are now pooled together. With Mandaue and Talisay in bracket A are Danao and Carcar.

 Meanwhile, the opening of the 3rd GUV Cup went well with all praises from the Philippine Sports Commission.

 “It is through the holding of tournaments such as this where we achieve unity in the midst of diversity and chaos,” said PSC chairman William Ramirez in his message to the participants as read by PSC-7 director Fr. Vic L. Uy, SVD.

Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia herself also envisions a long-term program for the tournament because it has proven to be a potent unifying force among the Cebuanos.

Madridejos, the northernmost part of Bantayan Island, got the “Early Bird” award, while Balamban took home the “Best in Uniform” commendation.