GUV Cup quarterfinals begins today

CEBU, Philippines - Competition in the 6th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup enters the crucial stage as the quarterfinal action begins at 8 am today at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

In the first order of the day, municipal women’s champion Catmon will take on Tuburan. The succeeding women's matches feature Liloan against Barili, Mandaue versus Algeria, Talisay opposite Pilar and Minglanilla against Tabuelan.

The men’s bracket games pits Minglanilla vs. Barili, Liloan vs. Carmen, reigning City Cluster champion Mandaue vs. Sta. Fe, Talisay vs. Bogo and Alcoy vs. Poro.

The Mandaue spikers finished the elimination round undefeated, capping their sizzling run with an emphatic victory over the equaly-tough municipal cluster champion Liloan. They are the teams to beat in their respective brackets.

In the distaff side, the Talisay belles will try to sweep their quarterfinal round assignments, while Catmon is expected to face rough sailing as they have to get past Mandaue in bracket A.

Unlike last year wherein four champions were declared, only one champion in the men and women’s division will be awarded in the sixth season of the biggest and grandest volleyball tournament in the country.

The quarterfinals will run until Thursday. The semifinals is set on Friday, while the championships will be played the following day.

“For sure, it's going to be a tougher and exciting competition especially that most of the teams have recruited very good reinforcements that would be one of the highlights of the tournament,” said Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) president Jun San Juan.

Aside from customized trophies and medals, the champion in both categories will bring home P100,000 each, while the runners-up will pocket P50,000.