No 'benching' allowed in 7th GUV Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The “No benching of players” rule will be applied in all of the three categories of the 7th Edition of the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup, which kicks off next month.

The rule states that the first stringers will play in the first set, the second six will be in the second set and in the third set, the coach can choose who to field. The same system will be applied in the semis and championship as well.

Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) executive director Nona Catipay said that they imposed this rule so that all players will be able to play during tournaments.

“To ensure that all players will be able to play during their respective games, we included this new rule for this year’s edition now that we also have the elementary division,” said Catipay.

The elementary and out of school youth-mix division will comprise six boys and six girls for a composition of 12 players. If the team wishes to have 14 players, they can add one boy and a girl including two liberos.

The participants must be 12 years old and below. There must be three boys and three girls fielded on court at all times. The boy libero must always be part of the six players for a 12-member team composition.

In the women and men’s division, on the other hand, the team composition must include four high school players, six local players or out of school youth and two imports for a total of 12 players.

For a composition of 14 players, the team can add two local or out of school youth including two liberos.

The players in these divisions must be 13 years old and above at the start of their respective cluster elimination.

To recall, the largest and biggest volleyball sporting event in the country was solely intended for the women and with the inclusion of the men’s division two years ago, it seemed that other municipalities were no longer sending a women’s team.

Because of this observation, the women’s team is non-negotiable. All municipalities and cities are encouraged to field in teams in all three categories.

Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairmen, municipal coordinators and coaches from different cities and municipalities in the province gathered yesterday for the presentation of rules at the Capitol Social Hall.

To avoid protests, eligibility was also discussed yesterday. The players must be a resident of the municipality and city.

“Freedom of choice” will be applied for players who are enrolled in schools belonging to another municipality/city. This choice will also be honored to players who have established a period of one year residency in another municipality by affinity, employment and transfer of residence. The imports are exempted from all the restrictions.

Originally, the GUV Cup started with the women’s division only and two years ago the men’s division was included and this year an elementary division was added.

Catipay said the elementary division was included as a result of the Extensive-Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (E-GUV) grassroots program that was conducted few months ago.

She added that tournament gave emphasis to the E-GUV grassroots program that they had. It will be an application of all the learning that each municipality acquired from the program.

All the players and coaches from the different municipalities and cities will once again converge on August 29 for the GUV Cup General Assembly at the Cebu International Convention Center. – (FREEMAN)