Elementary division to spice up 7th GUV Cup volleyball tournament

CEBU, Philippines - Bringing in the children to a highly-competitive tournament is a dream-come-true for the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) with the inclusion of the elementary division in the seventh edition of the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup, ballyhoed as the biggest volleyball tournament in the country in terms of scope and prizes.

Gwen Garcia, the ever dynamic lady Governor of Cebu, authored the ground-breaking move upon seeing the huge participation of young enthusiasts in the Extensive-Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (E-GUV) program conducted last summer.

CEVA executive director Jerry Winona Catipay said Garcia’s observation led to the creation of this new division adding up to the regular men and women’s open.

“This would serve as a humungous change for GUV Cup. Bringing in the children in this kind of tournament was a dream come true for us. We're not expecting that we will be able to have it this year,” said Catipay during the annual GUV Cup General Assembly yesterday at the Summit Hall of Cebu International Convention Center.

It's going to be a unique division with a mixture of boys and girls in one team. The elementary and out- of-school youth will comprise six boys and six girls for a composition of 12 players. If a team wishes to have 14 players, they can add one boy and one girl including two liberos.

The “no benching of players” rule will be applied in all three categories of 7th GUV Cup, which fires off on September 17 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

The rule states that the first stringers will play in the first set, the second six in the second set and in the third set, it would be the coaches’ choice of players. The same sequence will be applied in the semis and championship as well.

Catipay said they will impose this rule to make sure that all players will be able to see action.

“We made this change in order to hone the talents of these players and that everybody will be able to play during their respective games. They better choose the best players in their municipalities,” said Catipay.

In the women and men’s bracket, each team shall include four high school players, six local players or out-of-school youth and two imports for a total of 12 players.

All cities and municipalities comprising the province of Cebu are encouraged to field in teams in all three categories.

Meanwhile, the deadline for the submission of entries is slated on September 13. The organizers are hoping that they could gain 100% participation from all LGUs in the province. - THE FREEMAN