Mandaue belles score grandslam in GUV Cup: Also grab kiddies title;Liloan bags men’s crown

CEBU, Philippines - The Mandaue belles gamely recovered from a first-set debacle to trounce Catmon in four sets and complete a historic grandslam feat in the women's division of the 8th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup at the Cebu International Convention Center yesterday.

Mandaue lost in the opening frame,20-25, but turned the tables on Catmon in the next three sets,25-19, 25-13, 25-21 to reaffirm their supremacy in the country’s biggest developmental volleyball tournament.

Followers of the province-wide tilt were anticipating another final showdown between Mandaue and archrival Talisay especially after both squads were grouped separately during the quarterfinal round.

Talisay, however, failed to move forward after falling prey to Catmon in the semifinals, 25-20, 25-1, 25-20. Mandaue booked the other championship ticket after easily crushing Liloan, 25-20, 25-18, 25-20.

Mandaue skipper Genie Sabas, a former Phl Youth member, stepped up bigtime, providing leadership to her younger teammates as well as to the other veteran players in the likes of Jusabelle Brillo, Danika Yolanda Gendrauli, and Kennete Garces.

“I just got back from training with the Army. I even missed the semifinal. It's harder this time because I have to deal with younger teammates, high school students at that. Our only advantage maybe is that they also have experience being CVIRAA champions,” said Sabas.

Mandaue also bagged the kiddies division title at the expense of Moalboal, 25-13, 26-24.

Liloan prevented a total domination by the Mandauehanons after it clinched the men's crown. The girtty Liloan spikers smashed Mandaue in straight sets, 25-19, 25-21, 25-16.

Mandaue earned a total of P260,000 in cash prize for winning the women’s and kiddies division plus a runner-up finish in the men’s side.

Mandaue also saw Jusabelle Brillo bagging the MVP award, her fourth and the most unexpected one since Sabas also played well.The last time Brillo was named GUV Cup MVP was in 2008.

Sabas was named best spiker and setterin the women’s division, while her teammate Marielle Froilan was the best libero.  Talisay’s Shyrra Cabriana was the best server and Catmon’s Methosheena Bate the best blocker.

In the men’s side, Jonrey Sasing was the MVP, while his teammates Clifford Café and Angelan Vesac was the best server and best spiker, respectively. Mandaue’s John Delmar Yordan was best libero, Ariel Carumba of Carcar the best server and Talisay’s Kennith Bensig the best blocker. (FREEMAN)