Five exciting matches will kick-start the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Developmental Volleyball League for Boys and Girls this afternoon at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.
Before the games, a simple opening ceremony will take place at 1 pm to be graced by event organizer and M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) executive director Eddie B. Ybañez.
Also expected to attend the affair and deliver inspirational messages to the youthful athletes from the different public and private schools in Cebu are USC vice president for finance and athletic director Fr. Vicente “Vic” L. Uy, SVD and University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) vice president for administration Oscar P. Jereza.
The first game of the day features the friendly encounter between the MLSDF All-Stars and the Hiroshi commercial squad.
In the tournament proper at 2:30 pm, the Abellana National School will take on Cabancalan National High School, while Mandaue Comprehensive National High School will go up against Camp Lapu-Lapu NHS in the other girls encounter at 3:30 pm.
In the boys category, Cabancalan NHS will face off with Mandaue City Comprehensive NHS at 4:30 pm, while USPF will slug it out against ANS in the final match at 5:30 pm.
A total of 12 teams divided into two groups of six are seeing action in the girls division of the two-month tilt held in partnership with the Cebu Volleyball Federation (CVF) under the leadership of Raul Gonzales, namesake of the current secretary of the Department of Justice (DoJ).
They will play in a single round robin format in the elimination round, with the top four teams marching into the crossover semifinals. The winners will then fight for the championship.
The men’s side, on the other hand, drew eight teams that include USPF, USJ-R, ANS, Cabancalan NHS, Mandaue City Comprehensive, USC, and Don Bosco Technology Center.