Metro Manila Sports Fest second season serves women’s volley

MANILA, Philippines — Limited to basketball last year, the Metro Manila Sports Fest (MMSF) is including women’s volleyball this season and is looking at other sports for the future.

“Maybe we can include boxing in the near future. We have good boxers,” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) general manager Jojo Garcia.

The MMDA is behind the sportsfest limited to cities and municipalities in Metro Manila, a sports program that works well with President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

“This is for the youth,” said Garcia during yesterday’s launch of the second MMSF season at the MMDA sports center along Edsa.

Present during the launch were league commissioner Pido Jarencio, chairman Bonnie Tan, MMDA sports director Atty. Chris Saruca and tournament organizer Fidel Mangonon.

The boys’ 16-under basketball will take centerstage with a total of 16 teams, led by defending champion Marikina, seeing action starting on April 15.

The other teams are Caloocan, Quezon City, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Manila and Mandaluyong in the North Division, and Parañaque, Las Piñas, Pateros, Taguig, Makati, Pasay, San Juan and MMDA in the South Division.

In volleyball, a total of 18 girls’ teams will see action, 10 in the 16-U and the rest in the 24-U.

They are Caloocan, Mandaluyong, Makati, San Juan, Manila, Taguig, Pateros, Pasay, Muntinlupa and Las Pinas in the 16-U; and Mandaluyong, San Juan, Manila, Quezon City, Caloocan, Parañaque, Taguig and Malabon in the 24-U.

Volleyball action also begins on April 15. All opening-day matches will be held at the San Juan Gym.

“We are a growing league. And what’s nice is that the PBA is now our partner when it comes to basketball,” said Jarencio.