City spikers outlast municipal rivals in GUV Cup's "Battle of Champions"

CEBU, Philippines – City cluster champions Mandaue and Talisay proved to be more dominant over their municipal cluster counterparts during the "Battle of the Champions" that high-lighted the opening salvo of the 6th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup the other day at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Mandaue of coach Roberto Mendoza gamely bounced back from a first-set blunder to fend off the hard-fighting Liloan spikers in the men's division, while the Talisay belles walloped the younger but gritty Catmon squad in straight sets in the women's side.

Liloan of coach Ondo Mosqueda rode on the impressive showing of Jonrey Sasing, Jacky Yrog-irog, Rowel Lato and Marianito Gomez to claim the first set, 25-21.

The Liloanons somewhat sustained their momentum as they posted a 17-13 lead in the second set, but Mandaue countered with a 5-0 spurt to wrest the driver's seat, 18-17, behind the powerful attacks of Roderick Arenasa, Arwin Pañe and reigning GUV Cup MVP Ramil Espinosa.

After a 22-all deadlock, Edward Carlos Tecson and Adrian Cabahug tallied two straight points for a 24-22 Mandaue lead. Sasing kept Liloan alive, 23-24, but Arenasa scored on a kill to wrap up the set for Mandaue, 25-23, thus, the rubbermatch.

Seemingly discouraged by their second set defeat, the Liloanons' offense went astray in the decider, allowing Mandaue to seal the deal in convincing fashion, 25-17.

In the women's bracket, the more experienced Talisaynons were pushed to the limit before vanquishing Catmon, 25-20, 26-24.

Talisay paraded its import in RP team member Nerissa "Nene" Bautista. The rest who contributed to Talisay's victory were Mechelle Matuguina, Marissa Lagancia, Jullett Mae Marikit, Shane Celis and Haidee Abellana.

Meanwhile, several outstanding products of the six-year-old GUV Cup were feted with the Governor's Citation and the Garbo sa GUV Cup 2010.

The Governor's Citation was awarded to the first stringers of Southwestern University (SWU) in Danalie Baquiro (Sta. Fe), Mary Luilyn Pacinio (Sta. Fe), Elizabeth Emnace (Barili), Kristal Joy Vuelban (Compostela) and Raphril Aguilar (Samboan).

The Garbo sa GUV Cup honorees, who are already varsity members in different universities here, include Fritzie Aliway (SWU), Marilyn Llagoso (SWU), Ariane Belandres (USPF), Suzette Panis (USC), Louie Espina (UC), Mamerto Tañola (UC), Jade Illut (USJ-R), Robert Caoua (UV), Juvy Marapo (UC), Franklin Adriano (UC) and Christy Shane Ortembac (UC).  (FREEMAN)