CEBU, Philippines - Liloan and Minglanilla, both title favorites in the men’s division, coasted to their second straight victory in the municipal cluster quarterfinals of the 5th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) grounds.
The formidable Liloanons of coach Ondo Mosqueda pummeled Daanbantayan in dominating fashion, 25-19, 25-11, to take the temporary lead in Bracket A with an immaculate 2-0 record.
Among those who powered Liloan to victory were University of the Visayas team captain Jade Becaldo, University of San Jose-Recoletos skipper Jackie Yrog-irog and former USPF stalwarts Angellan Visoc, Clifford Café, Maynard Alijandrino and James Ryan Rivera.
In bracket B, Minglanilla whipped Sta. Fe, 25-22, 25-21 to also stay undefeated after two starts.
The Minglanilla was manned by USJ-R assistant coach Dave Areza, Abellana National School coach Kareem Datig and USJ-R spiker Leoniel Sanchez.
Compostela and Tuburan, on the other hand, joined the winners’ bracket in contrasting manner.
Compostela met little resistance in a 25-13, 25-14 disposition of Carmen, while Tuburan had to toil before fending off Dalaguete in three sets, 23-25, 25-16, 25-22.
In the distaff side, the Catmon belles of coach Vilma Veloso did not break any sweat in chalking up their third consecutive win by default over Daanbantayan, while Compostela bettered its win-loss card to 3-1 after getting past Dalaguete, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21.
In the other games, Sta. Fe trounced Sogod in straight sets, 25-23, 25-23 while Barili smashed
Tuburan, 25-21, 25-15.
The top four teams per category will advance to the semifinals this Saturday along with the top four in the city cluster.
Mandaue and Talisay lead the cast in the city cluster in both divisions. Matches in the city cluster feature Mandaue against Carcar and Talisay versus Danao in the women’s category, while Talisay plays Carcar and Mandaue takes on Toledo in the men’s class.
All three championship games will be contested on December 20 starting at 1 pm at the same venue. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (FREEMAN NEWS)