GUV Cup, racing and the 80s victory

The best of the different clusters will clash starting Monday in the semifinals of the 3rd Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Those who made it to this stage of the competition are the top two teams of the different clusters for the municipalities and the top four in the city cluster.

There will be a champion for the municipality level and the city level and each gets P100,000 while a windfall also awaits the runner-up.

To add spice to the competition this year, the organizing Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) headed by my good friend Glenn Anthony O. Soco, has added a cheer dance event.

Huge cash prizes also await the top finishers of the cheer dance event.

The semifinals will run until Friday and the championship will move to the Cebu International Convention Center on the 22nd, which is next Saturday.

Glenn sent me a text message a few days ago expressing his thanks to our very active executive director of the CEVA, Nonna Catipay, who made it possible that we’ll have a Taraflex court for the championship games.

If you haven’t seen any action of the GUV Cup yet, this is your chance so let’s see each other there and enjoy the games.

By the way, we will also be showcasing what international-caliber volleyball officiating is to give you a glimpse of how major competitions are supposed to be run.

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Although my biggest interest in racing is mostly limited to Formula-1, I am amazed at the dedication of a group of enthusiasts from Davao, who put together a TV show to share their passion with the other racing buffs.

The Racing Line airs over Real Cebu TV (RCTV) channel 36 on SkyCable TV and it features not only races, but also car shows, reviews and even very useful tips for simple repair and troubleshooting.

The Racing Line’s executive producer and host Jonathan George ‘Jong’ Uy was in town last weekend for the official launch at Loft.

 Our friends from RCTV led by their president Michael Solon and station manager Chad Songalia were there along with the friends of the show and many other car enthusiasts.

Adding spice to the launch were the cars on display that would make both car enthusiasts and the ordinary fellow salivate at the sight of the modifications.

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While having breakfast, I received this text message:

Good a.m. Rod, finally 80s won the 80s-90s Cup (this is the annual battle of the junior golf products of Cebu Country Club from the two decades - NLQ) this year.  Our standing is 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw.

Unlike the 90s with all their pre-match media hype, they even had an entire billboard put up at Banilad area, the 80s veterans made their clubs do the barking.  After being 1 down in day1, we had an easy stroll in the park with our singles matches winning by 3 points.

Jovi Neri after trash talking Eric (Eric Deen - NLQ) was vaporized 6-down by the multi titled club champion who was enjoying his walk while Jovi was looking for his swing.

Raymond Garcia’s unblemished record was finally tarnished by Toby (Toby Florendo), who was Raymond’s first single digit handicap opponent. 

Iker (Iker Aboitiz) was our captain this year.

The one who sent me the text message, but asked to remain anonymous, also sent this message:

We actually lost in the first day by 1 because we were star struck playing with celebrities.

He was referring to the 90s team whose billboard is located somewhere in the Banilad area near the corner leading the Ma. Luisa Estate Park.

This only means one thing – bragging rights for a year for the guys from my generation, the 80s.

I’m interested what my good friend Atty. Jovi Neri, who is also my top source for junior golf news, has to say about this.

I can’t help but giggle at the comments made by the text message sender.