Mandaue wins two GUV Cup crowns

Mandaue City emerged a big winner in the 7th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup as it won two crowns at the end of competition yesterday at the jam-packed Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

The women’s reigning champions kept their title by fending off a  gritty Talisay side, 25-10, 19-25, 25-18, 25-15, for their second straight championship.

Mandaue also took home the debuting grassroots division title with a 26-24, 25-20 victory over Moalboal.

Meanwhile, Talisay City managed to keep its men’s title as it defeated Liloan, 25-13, 25-21, 25-23.

Talisay City, behind the leadership of veteran setter Norvie Labuga, barely broke a sweat in their title defense as they swept past Liloan in straight sets for their second consecutive crown.

“Gipaningkamutan lang jud namo among depensa na dili sila sayun maka-score,” said Labuga. “And sa offense, ganahan mi na masakto namo ug receive ang bola para maka-set mi sa amoang options. Sa third set, medyo nawala mi sa amoang duwa. Fortunately, we went back to our gameplan and nalahos ra namo.”

Labuga was not alone in the conquest as he connived with his powerhouse lineup that boasted of Rovyl Velayo, Jesrile Pino, Alfred Daan, Jerone Maestre, Ronald Moreno, Kevin Casia, Ronald Acojedo and Kenneth Bensig.

Labuga said that they just happened to come upon a Liloan squad that was playing out of sync in the finals.

In the distaff side, the belles of Mandaue once again showed their tremendous depth, which in turn led them to the title win.

In what was already beginning to be a pattern, Mandaue started off hot behind their first six of Erika Verano, Genie Sabas, Kennete Garces, Danika Gendraule and import, Joanne Bunag. They raced off to an 11-1 lead and never looked back for a 1-0 set lead.

Talisay struck back to tie it all up at 1-1 behind the stellar spikes of guest player Joy Cases and Julett Marikit and the stellar drop shots of Florian Gutierrez.

Talisay carried the momentum heading to the third set as they led early on, 8-4. However, Mandaue was able to recover en route to the victory.