7TH GUV Cup Talisay men's team claims semis ticket

CEBU, Philippines - Defending men’s champion Talisay City booked a semifinal ticket in the 7th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup today at the Summit Hall of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) in Mandaue City.

Talisay City powered by its veteran stalwart Norvie Labuga and reinforcements in Philippine team member Rhovyl Verayo and Kennith Bensig topped bracket A as they pummeled Dumanjug in straight sets, 25-14, 25-19.

Prior to the match Talisay clobbered Barili, 25-10, 25-22, Santa Fe, 25-11, 25-17 and Minglanilla via default.

Kevin Casia, Jesriel Pino, Ronald Acojedo and Jerone Maestre also contributed to Talisay’s triumph.

Mandaue City, on the other hand, was at close second as they also hold a 3-0 record, after beating Dumanjug, 25-12, 25-23, Santa Fe, 25-21, 25-17 and Barili via default.

In bracket B, the Liloan Spikers also stay unbeaten but they had to pass through a thrilling two setter battle before fending off the equally-tough Carcar City, 25-23, 25-22.

PHL beach volley team member Jonrey Sasing paced the Liloanons along with James Ryan Rivera, Clifford Cafe, Maynard Alejandrino, Angelan Visoc and Jacky Yrog-irog.

Ariel Carumba, Bon Vincent Estrera, Dennis Sepulveda, Ken Bhoyd Abunda, Ryan Fuentes and Jason Uy tried to make things happen for Carcar, but fell short.

Liloan also thumped Dalaguete, 25-13, 25-17, Sogod, 25-8, 25-9 and Tuburan, 25-16, 25-15.

Carcar City, on the other hand, secured the second spot after routing Dalaguete, 25-10, 25-12, Tuburan, 25-13, 23-25, 25-21 and Toledo City, 26-24, 18-25, 26-24.

In the women’s division, reigning champion Mandaue City and Catmon occupy the top spots in brackets A and B, respectively, after sweeping all their quarterfinal opponents.

Both camps, on the other hand, had to tackle Talisay City and Liloan in a nerve-wracking three set thriller.

The Mandaue belles defeated Talisay, 21-25, 25-15, 25-17 while Catmon beat Liloan, 17-25, 25-19, 25-18.

The semi-final matches today feature Santa Fe against Mandaue City and Catmon against Moalboal in the elementary division.

In the women’s division, Mandaue City will tackle Liloan while Talisay City faces Catmon.

As of this writing, Talisay City and Mandaue City were still to face each other, but no matter what is the result, both teams are assured of semifinal seats in the men’s division but the other two semifinalists were not yet revealed.

Liloan still has to defeat Toledo City, to surely occupy bracket B’s top post. If they will be successful, Carcar City will automatically take the second spot after defeating Toledo City, 26-24, 18-25, 26-24. 

The winners in the semis today will advance to the championship games tomorrow. (FREEMAN)