Thursday, December 21, 2006 Coaches discover talents with guv cup By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Correspondent
ON ITS way towards the penultimate round of the 2nd edition of the Gov. Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup for Women, coaches from different universities in the city are already recruiting new talents, leading the organizing team to consider the tournament a runaway success.
Cebu Volleyball Association (Ceva) technical head Nona Catipay said the tournament has accomplished its goal to open a door of opportunity for players in far-flung areas.
"It is our priority to get new talents and nurture them. More often, only the players who are more accessible to the city get to tryout. This time, those from the provinces are given that same chance," Catipay said.
These players are offered slots to the varsity teams and in exchange they get to have free education in prestigious schools.
Entire province
The Governor's Cup had covered the entire province of Cebu attracting 42 cities and municipalities to participate in the four-month event.
"The coaches are silently scouting for players that will boost their lineup for the coming Cesafi season for the next school year," Catipay said.
Multi-titled coach Grace Antigua of University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), who had discovered Catmon's teenage sensations Athena Sucalit and Catherine Marquez last year, said that she had already told the Minglanilla coach to reserve two of its players to play for her.
"I will be tapping Minglanilla's Charisse Orbiso and Hanna Aliño," Antigua said.
Antigua coaches the USJ-R ladies team, which is the undisputed queen of the court in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc.
Sights set
Coach Jordan Paca of University of Southern Philippines Foundation on the other hand, said that he is already setting his sights on a player from Alegria for his girls squad and one from Alcantara for his collegiate women's team.
Catipay also said that Southwestern University's Thelma Datig is drawn towards talents from Boljoon, Toledo and Catmon, following last weekend's quarterfinal round in Mandaue.
"For this, Ceva takes pride in for the discoveries and for giving these players a chance to make it big outside the comforts of their towns," Catipay added.
Tomorrow marks the end of another volleyball season as the Gov Cup wraps up. The semifinal round is slated in the morning followed by the championships in the afternoon.
