Thursday, June 19, 2008 No Davao team in beach volleyball
DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte -- The 1st Dapitan City National Women's Beach Volleyball Championships will kick off here on Friday without the two Davao City teams earlier reported to be seeing action.
This was confirmed to local sportswriters by sponsoring Evangelista Aquatics and Sports Management's Darren Evangelista Wednesday.
"I really don't know what happened but they're no longer competing. From what I've gathered they were not permitted by their school to go to Dapitan but I'm not really privy to what transpired. I'm just here to sponsor their trip in support to the host city's endeavor being it sports consultant," Evangelista said.
Evangelista was referring to UM spikers Quielle Hernandez and Jennifer Conde who were supposed to be EASM's team A and Janice Arnaiz and Maricel Cabus in team B.
UM sports director Joaquin "Boy" Sarabia, meanwhile, said in a phone interview that their players couldn't be released without the permission of the university's athletic board.
"A coach came to my office recently asking if we have a women's beach volleyball team. I said yes. I also told the guy to give us a formal letter of request so I can forward the letter to our board for approval. But until now we haven't received any letter requesting the services of our spikers," Sarabia said.
He said they couldn't just send any of their players to far places like Dapitan without a letter.
"We've been waiting for that letter. Our students are our responsibility. I made that clear to the players as well. They just couldn't go anywhere without being sure if there is anybody who will be accountable for their safety and welfare. That's why I was surprised to read from the news that they are going when in fact they are not," Sarabia said.
Evangelista said the development was unfortunate. "I've been telling the organizers that there needs to be an invitation letter. I really wanted Davao to be represented in the meet. It is sad Dabawenyos can't join the competition. I think Davao's two slots were given to San Carlos City instead," he said.
He said that Tagum was interested to see action but it was too late to make arrangements for them due to the last-minute situation of the Davao teams.
Cash prizes are up for grabs in the beach volleyfest that will be participated in by teams from the National Capital Region, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. (MLSA)
