Catmon dethrones Liloan: Lapu-Lapu retains City Cluster title in the 4th GUV Cup volleyball

CEBU – Lapu-Lapu survived a four-set battle over archrival Talisay to retain its Cluster City title, while Catmon dethroned Liloan to emerge as the new Municipal Cluster champion in the 4th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup for Women, which came to a close yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Lapu-Lapu’s victory was not served on a silver platter as everyone held on their breath as the two protagonists locked themselves up in an intense battle.

The ever-reliable Jusabelle Brillo was not as flashy as she was expected to be but lady fortune still smiled as Lapu-Lapu as the likes of Reinacel Berdon, Lyn-lyn Lequigan and Jovelyn Glipo gamely picked up the scoring cudgels when it was needed most.

Lapu-Lapu swept the first two sets the hard way, 25-19, 25-23, but Talisay averted a shutout by winning the third set, 15-25, to keep its flickering title hopes alive.

In the fourth set, Lapu-Lapu of coach Cecil Jotojot reshuffled his wards and instructed them to tighten their defense and do not flirt with complacency. Their players responded well to the challenge to eventually finish off Talisay in convincing fashion, 25-17.

Earlier, Catmon played with so much ease to shackle Liloan in straight sets 25-21, 25-22, 25-10.

Catmon dominated all departments that left Liloan so helpless the entire match.

The exemplary teamwork as well as the well-roundedness displayed by Liloan in its past games were sized up and contained by the more superior Catmon belles.

It was only in the early part of the first set that the encounter between Liloan and Catmon was a bit thrilling. The rest was a lop-sided one.

Not even the fervent cheers of Mayor Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco could inspire Liloan to post back-to-back championships.

When Catmon of Vilma Veloso posted a commanding 2-0 edge, the spectators were hoping for Liloan to retaliate.

But to their dismay, Catmon zoomed in to a sizzling 14-2 start in the third set behind the smart plays of Cherry Petalcurin, Melanie Selvestre, Catherine Marquez, Jery Mae Montecalvo and Methosheena Bate.

If it was not for Catmon’s missed services and miscalculated plays, Liloan would not have earned a point.

The Liloan bets could only pull within 6-14 against Catmon because no matter how they tried, things just got worse.

Catmon, thus, bagged the P100,000 champion's purse to the delight of Catmon mayor Estrella Aribal, who also personally watched the game with other LGU officials.

The rest of the victorious Catmon squad were Floremae Rondina, Athena and Christy Sucalit, Marjorie Coloscos, Gretchel Solfones, Lovely Murillo and Julaiza Lanada.

On the other hand, the cheerdance contest was won by Sta. Fe, while Bogo was unopposed in the city cluster. Sta. Fe and Bogo went home with P20,000 each.

The final day of the province-wide tournament organized by the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) was graced by no less than the event's chief backer Governor Gwen F. Garcia. — Caecent No-ot Magsumbol (THE FREEMAN)