CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue belles and Talisay spikers ended the two-weekend city cluster battle with big smiles as they occupied the top spots in their respective divisions in the 5th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup yesterday at the Talisay City Sports Complex.
The Mandauehanons overcame a first-set drawback to overturn Talisay in three sets.
The triumvirate of Michelle Gimarino, Florian Gutierrez and Mechelle Matuguina powered Talisay in the first set, 25-23, but the Mandaue stalwarts came out firing in the second set to pull off a decisive 25-18 win behind the efforts of Apple Saraum, Danika Gendrauli, Rachel Hannah Singson and Niña Irish Cortes, thus, the rubbermatch.
In the decider, the Mandauehanons sustained their momentum and aided by their stifling defense, they went on to finish off Talisay, 25-22.
Before going up against Talisay, Mandaue pummeled Danao, 25-21, 25-15. Danao though still earned a semifinal ticket along with fourth qualifier Carcar.
The story was on the reverse in the men’s bracket as Talisay nosed out Mandaue to finish the elimination round with an immaculate 5-0 record. Talisay thwarted Mandaue in their grueling three-set encounter, 27-25, 29-30, 25-20 in a match that thrilled the spectators to the max.
Talisay claimed the first set, 27-25, courtesy of the powerful attacks and stonewall defense of Norvie Labuga, Kevin Casia, Constancio Estrella, Ronald Acojedo, Norman Kong and Alfred Daan.
A very exciting battle ensued in the second set where both teams flashed championship-caliber performances. When the smoke was cleared, Mandaue eked out a nerve-wracking 31-29 victory to forge a third set.
The resilient Talisaynons, however, did not lose hope as they turned to their experienced first stringers to snuff the air out of Mandaue’s nose via a 25-20 decision.
The other semifinalists in the men’s class are Toledo and Carcar, which ranked third and fourth, recpectively. — Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)