Monday, December 24, 2007 Governor's Cup concludes; Brillo is MVP By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
JUSABELLE Brillo added another feather in her cap as she copped the Most Valuable Player diadem in the city cluster of the third Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup for Women, which wrapped up last Saturday at the Cebu International Convention Center.
Brillo, who plays for the women’s squad of University of the Visayas, had a glittering year, as she capped it with a best blocker and MVP diadems.
Brillo had been accountable for steering Lapu-Lapu City into claiming its second title in the Governor’s Cup.
This summer, Brillo and partner Janez Armie Igot brought home the national title of the Nestea beach volleyball competition, a win that waited 11 years to happen. After that she was eyed to join the national volleyball team.
In the Governor’s Cup, she made her presence felt once more and her diminutive figure did not even stop her.
It was a surprise that the lanky Brillo, mostly known for her smart plays, was a force to reckon with from the front lines as she was a one-woman blocking machine.
She scored the most points out of her successful blocks for her to be given the best blocker diadem.
Igot, on the other hand, may have failed in taking Mandaue to victory, but she did not go home empty-handed as she was named the best server, after scoring the most aces in the competition.
She has been out of the limelight for a longtime, but the former collegiate stalwart, Ma. Chandrina Tumabang of Lapu-Lapu, keeps her old form and was eventually named the best attacker in the city cluster.
Last year’s champion, Talisay City, bombed out of the title hunt after losing to the gritty Lapu-Lapu squad in five sets in their semifinals outing. Its setter, Michelle Gimarino, saved the team from a total letdown as she was given the best setter award. Janica Gimenez of Lapu-Lapu won the best setter award.
Meanwhile, in the provincial cluster, Arlene Maloloy-on of Consolacion, who was picked up as reinforcement for eventual provincial champion Lilo-an, earned the best attacker and MVP diadems.
Melanie Silvestre of provincial runner-up Catmon, was awarded the best setter award, while Minglanilla’s Eimalie Basalo was named best blocker.
Southwestern University stalwart, Danalie Baquiro, who despite playing with a bad ankle, was given the best server award. Baquiro played for Santa Fe, which bowed out of contention after losing to Liloan in the semifinals, while Liloan’s Reslie Pascual won the best libero award.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Cup concluded, but leaving behind a lot of firsts that would be the yardstick for any volleyball competitions it will be measured up against.
Cebu Volleyball Association, the organizers of this province-wide competition, had been held in esteem by the national governing body for volleyball for putting up a competition of this breadth. It is also the first amateur volleyball competition that stakes this much cash prizes. It was also the first time that an amateur competition was played on taraflex surface.
And to cap a surprise-filled season, Ceva also awarded a coach of the year award to Catmon’s Vilma Veloso.
According to Ceva official Judith Bonilla, Ceva wanted to reward Veloso in recognition of her contribution to the local volleyball scene.
Veloso, who is also a teacher, had groomed young players from the elementary years, until high school. Her girls made it big as they won the Central Visayas provincial meet two years ago and that team, Catherine Marquez, Methosheena Bate and Athena Sucalit, among a few, had become prominent fixtures in various volleyball competitions.
For this year’s Governor’s Cup, Catmon, although made up of still very young players, still managed to muster a first runner up finish as they were up against more a more seasoned team. (MCB)
