CEBU, Philippines - Defending women’s champion Catmon inched closer to fulfilling its back-to-back title campaign after it trounced Sta. Fe in three sets to advance into the municipal cluster finals of the 5th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) Summit Hall.
Mewnahile, the four championship matches will be contested today starting at 8:30 am still at the same venue.
The mighty Catmon belles pounded Sta. Fe in the first set, 25-18, and then sustained their momentum to post a 25-16 and 29-27 victories in the next two frames to send their foes from Bantayan Island packing.
Catmon, thus, set up a titular showdown with Minglanilla, which advanced after terminating early title-favorite Liloan in three sets, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19.
In their battle royale this morning, Catmon will bank on a powerhouse cast of Methosheena Bate, Athena Sucalit, Catherine Marquez, Lanie Silvestre, Jerymie Montalvo, Gretchel Soltones and Cristy Sucalit, while Minglanilla will squeeze the most from the likes of Vanessa Uezan, Avegale Getuaban, Luanne Marie Lawian and Loida Grava.
In the men's bracket, the Liloan spikers stormed into the championship round after booting out Compostela, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22.
Fresh from a stint in the just-concluded 25th SEA Games in Laos, RP Team member Jonrey Sasing did not show any signs of fatigue as he vaulted Liloan to victory alongside University of the Visayas team captain Jade Becaldo, University of San Jose-Recoletos skipper Jackie Yrog-irog and former USPF stalwarts Angellan Visoc, Clifford Café, Maynard Alijandrino and James Ryan Rivera.
Liloan will fight for the coveted crown against Minglanilla, which bundled out Moalboal, 25-12, 25-13, 25-11 behind the powerful attacks of Lemuel Dave Arreza, Kareem Datig and Ariz June Getuaban.
In the city cluster, the Mandaue belles booked a final berth in the women's division without breaking a sweat as their opponents from Carcar did not show up. They are expected to face rough sailing though as they collide with Talisay for the crown. Talisay rolled on after eliminating Danao in three sets with uniform scores of 25-11.
In the men's bracket, Talisay and Mandaue will dispute the title. Talisay won by default over Carcar while Mandaue ousted Toledo, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21. (FREEMAN NEWS)