PVF to confer title to Cebu; may host next year's World Grand Prix

CEBU, Philippines - Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Gener M. Dungo provided the fireworks during yesterday's opening of the 7th Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup by announcing that Cebu will be formally declared as "Volleyball Capital of the Philippines" next month and will also host World Volleyball Grand Prix in August next year.

Dungo said this October 9, the PVF will hold its quarterly board meeting in Manila wherein he will propose a resolution on the board of administration regarding the two important matters in the volleyball community here in the country.

“This board meeting is very important for us because we will act on the proposed resolutions to our board of administration, for the declaration of the province of Cebu as the “Volleyball Capital of the Philippines” and host for the next World Volleyball Grand Prix in August, 2012 subject to the approval of the FIVB,” said Dungo.

“These will surely boost the volleyball development and tourism in our country. I am very positive that my fellow board members will ratify the resolutions,” he added.

The PVF acknowledges and commends the support of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and CEVA in implementing the mission and vision of the new PVF in the Queen City of the South.

“You can always assure of the support of the Philippine Volleyball Federation on all volleyball activities,” assured Dungo.

Gov. Garcia was overwhelmed by the feat and the impact that the seven-year-old tournament was able to attain at present.

It started in 2005 as GUV Cup for Women, with the purpose of uniting all local government units in the province through sports. It continuously grows every year with the promise of new events to offer like the inclusion of the men’s division and now the elementary division.

“The sport volleyball should start from the youth. We will mold expert players and let them embrace the sport,” said Garcia.

Also honored in the kick-off bash at the Cebu International Convention Center were the Garbo sa GUV Cup, composed of athletes who are now playing in different universities in Cebu.

Fhey are Christy Sucalit (USC), Marjorie Coloscos (CDU) and Jeff Jose Duran Jr. (USC) of Catmon, were Neslie Aloyan (USPF), Shergiyebeach Reboquio (UC), James Henry Pasquite (UV) and Evan Sevilleno (UC) from Bantayan, Neresa Villanueva (SWU), Hansel Bantiles (SWU) and Katherine Jumapao (USC) from Liloan, Jerra Mae Pacinio (SWU) and Ian Christopher Pacinio (UV) from Sta. Fe, Noeme Ann Alocillo (SWU-HS) and Wilhemina Papa (USC) from Alegria and Wardel Redoble (USJR) and Kingfred Sambrana (ANS) from Moalboal, Excel Ignacio (USC) from Consolacion, Merlissa Luage (UC) from Ginatilan, Gavinito Yongco III (USC) from Tabogon, Kin Lauglaug (USJR) from Carcar and Winston Bagolor (USPF) from Toledo.

The GUV Cup athletes who are now playing with Hope Christian School in Manila were also awarded. They are former Catmon elementary team members Mae Angeli Basarte, Maria Lina Isabel Molde and Justin Dorog.    

Special awards were also given to Catmon for the best in uniform and Madridejos for the Early Bird or Most Punctual. - (THE FREEMAN)