GUV Cup to include elementary competition this season

EXPECT THE 7th edition of the successful Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup to get younger as the tournament will be introducing the elementary division when it gets started on Sept. 17 at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

The GUV Cup had its general assembly yesterday at the said venue. It was there where Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) top official Nona Catipay divulged the details of the landmark change.

The elementary division will be a 12-under mixed-gender competition with each of the 12 squads joining needing to have equal number of boys and girls on their teams.

“This is an offshoot of the eGUV grassroots program. The people are going to see the fruits of the labor by the eGUV, where we will feature the younger players and possibly, the next generation of volleyball greats,” Catipay said.

The men and women divisions must also have at least four high school players. To ensure that the players will get proper exposure, the organizers have instituted a “no-benching” rule, which means that each player on the team will get to play in at least one set.

There is also the “non-negotiable” rule which will be imposed this season. It means that teams who intend to join the tournament must form a women’s team first before coming up with a men’s squad. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio