Mandaue sweeps Carcar, rules Governor’s Cup volleyball

CEBU, Philippines — The spirited Mandaue City belles consummated a two-game sweep of Carcar City in their final series to clinch the first ever championship of the Cebu Governor’s Cup Inter-Cities and Municipalities Under-18 Developmental Volleyball Tournament 2018 on Wednesday night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Under the able leadership of team campain Shiela Mae Kiseo, Mandaue rammed past Carcar in straight sets with authority,

 25-17, 25-20, 25-18 to pocket the P300,000 bounty. Carcar went home with P200,000.

It was mission accomplished for Kiseo, who really desired to leave something special to her hometown before trying her luck in the big league in Manila with Far Eastern University.

“My mindset was to help my teammates, that before I go to Manila I have to leave something for them and I thank God for guiding us all throughout the game, and because of Him we were able to achieve our goal. I reminded them to just continue what we have started as a team,” said the 17-year-old attacker from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

Kiseo, who went on to claim the Most Valuable Player award, pointed to their great team effort as their springboard to crowning glory.

The others who figured prominently in Mandaue's resounding triumph were Ressel Pedroza, Chinnie Pia Arroyo, Shiela Mae Castardo and Kirsten Chanel Petancio.

“This will not happen if it weren’t for my teammates' help and efforts. That is why I am thankful to all of them because I will not receive this award without them love them all so much,” Kiseo said.

Mandaue's head coach Jerry Perdiguez is as esctatic as his players.

I cannot put into words how proud I am to my players, and I am very happy with the support of the Mandauehanons to our team,” said Perdiguez.

Earlier, Catmon got the P100,000 third prize after beating Argao.

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Hilario 'Junjun' Davide III hopes to sustain the developmental volleyball program initiated by the Cebu Provincial Sports Commission (CPSC).

“I hope we can sustain this sports program and hopefully next year we can have another one for volleyball. The provincial government through the provincial Sports Commission will always support this tournament because there are a lot of talented youth here in Cebu and this is their opportunity to show their wares,” Davide said.

On his end, CPSC Executive Director Atty. Ramil Abing is very elated with the overwhelming success they attained on their inaugural venture in volleyball.

“This is just the first Governor’s Cup Volleyball Tournament and this is already very successful. I think it’s worthy to have another season," said Abing. "It’s also one of the successes of the Governor’s Cup that there are kids who were discovered and being recruited to play in big schools in Manila.”