Gwen assures bigger, better GUV Cup

CEBU, Philippines - In her last term as governor of Cebu Province, Gwendolyn Garcia promised a bigger and grand staging of the eighth season of the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup this year.

During yesterday's kick-off salvo of the week-long celebration commemorating the 443rd charter anniversary of Cebu, Garcia highlighted the sporting programs she organized as one of her monumental success in her eight years as chief executive of the province.

“The tournament was organized at first to stop division and promote unity in our province of Cebu and now I am so happy that with the GUV Cup, Cebu has now the title as the volleyball capital of the country,” said Garcia.

Ran by the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA), the province-wide tournament has discovered talents who excelled in bigger leagues.

One of them is Raphril Aguilar, a member of the all-women v team from municipality of Samboan. Aguilar bagged the MVP honors during the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games last April.

Also, the young team of Catmon that dominated the Palarong Pambansa had their first exposure in the GUV Cup.

CEVA Vice President Chad Salimbangon said they are still finalizing the details for the next season of GUV Cup. He, however, bared that there will be no changes in the number of participants and teams that will be joining in.

“Tentatively we will open the eighth season of GUV Cup in September,” he said. “The teams and number of participants will much probably be the same as last year. The only major changes, so far, is that there will be no more imports allowed this time.”

A total of 94 teams from 47 local government units comprising the province of Cebu will take part in the event expected to run for three months. It features the high school, elementary and out-of-school youth divisions.

Salimbangon also thanked Garcia for her continued support to the EGUV, an extensive grassroots program implemented in different municipalities of Cebu.

Aside from volleyball, the other events to look forward to is the GUV Cup Horse Show and Competition and the Governor Garcia Airsoft tilt.