Cuba, Italy head field in Volley GP

The 2005 World Volleyball Grand Prix, the tournament that endeared retired Brazilian star Leila Barros to the Filipinos, returns to the country with traditional powerhouse Cuba, Italy, the Netherlands and Thailand seeing action July 1-3 at the Philsports Arena.

The Cubans, who won the annual event in 1993 and 2000 and were the bronze medalists in the 2004 Athens Olympics, tackle the Thais, the perennial Southeast Asian Games champions, in the opener at 5 p.m. of this yearly tilt currently on its second week and third leg.

All eyes, however, are on the beautiful and talented Italians, who lost to the Brazilians in last year’s grand finale to finish at second place, as they clash with the Dutch in the other game at 7 p.m.

Italy, which is expected to draw strength from World Champion veterans Eleonora Lo Bianco and Zarra Anzanello, is tipped to challenge Cuba for top honors in the Manila leg organized by the Philippine Volleyball Federation under Roger Banzuela.

"It’s going to be exciting," said Italy coach Marco Bonita in yesterday’s press conference at the Holiday Inn Galleria in Pasig City.

Cuba, however, appears formidable.

The talented Zoila Barros and Liana Mesa, who saw action for Cuba in 11 World Championship games and more than 70 other international tournaments, are expected to lead the Cubans while Yumika Ruiz provides the leadership.

The experienced Ruiz, in fact, has played a total of 110 games for the Cuban national squad, 14 in the Olympics, 11 in the World Championships and 85 other games in international play.

"We have a few veterans but we’ll give the younger ones a lot of chances to play," said Cuban mentor Calderon Blet Felipe through an interpreter.

The Filipinos will also have a chance to see the Thailand team, winner of SEAG 10 straight times starting in 1985, play especially our own national squad seeing action in the biennial meet slated Nov. 27-Dec. 5 in Bacolod City.

"Most of our players seeing action here are going to return in the SEAG this November," said Thailand coach Sutichai Chanbunchee also through an interpreter.