CEBU, Philippines - Exciting action is expected when Cebu’s collegiate teams clash in the 1st Sinulog Jiboren’s Cup Volleyball Open, which fires off on November 15 at the Pasil Sports Complex.
Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) men and women’s champions, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and Southwestern University (SWU) lead the cast of competing teams.
This tournament was envisioned five years ago by tournament organizer and volleyball enthusiast, Judelyn Cabasa-Lietz. It was when she joined the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup this year that she became determined to pursue her plan of staging a tournament.
“It’s been my dream to hold this kind of volleyball sporting event. It took me five years before I was able to finally come up with everything that is needed to stage this very first volleyball tournament in our place,” said Lietz.
“I noticed that there were many volleyball enthusiasts in my place and hosting this event is my way of giving back the blessings that I received. And I did not settle for anything less, since this is the very first time, I’m giving them must-see matches from the famous collegiate teams in Cebu,” Lietz added.
Tournament manager, Jessie Yungco for his part said that “We’re doing this event to develop volleyball even more. We noticed the people in our place have this notion that volleyball is only played by women and bisexuals and we want them to know that pure men also play this sport.”
The University of the Visayas (UV), University of San Carlos (USC) and Ave Maria Sanctuary and Park backed-USJ-R will be fielding their men and women’s teams.
Completing the men’s line up are Dindo Salon and X-clusivz, JPC, Yosores, Saiha and Team Pasil while in the women’s bracket, Froilan and the University of the Philippines A and B will also take action.
Aside from trophies and medals, the winners will also be given cash prizes. The champion will get P12,000 while the second and third placers will be pocketing P10,000 and P7,000, respectively.
The 1st Sinulog Jiboren’s Cup Volleyball Open will apply the new FIVB rules and this is one of the highlights of the fiesta celebration of barangay Pasil in honor of the Holy Child Jesus this January.
“Tournaments like this would serve as exposure for our players, especially for my men’s team for the upcoming PRISAA. We really appreciate people who would hold tournaments like this at least after CESAFI we have something to look forward to,” said Cebu Sports Hall of Famer and USJ-R coach Grace Antigua. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (FREEMAN NEWS)