Atong freed on probation

Expect a suspense-filled action today as eight teams mix it up in the sudden-death semifinals of the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Open Indoor Volleyball Tournament at the University of San Carlos North Campus Gym (formerly USC Boys High) along General Maxilom Avenue, this city.

In the opening skirmish at 8 am, the Dewfoam-backed USC spikers of coach Eugene de le Cerna and team sponsor Dewey Choachuy will take on Team Liloanon of newly-elected Liloan Mayor Gerardo “Dodong Gamay” Frasco, Jr.

In the other men’s semis encounter, the ML Cebu Dried Mango Delights-sponsored University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars of coach Grace Antigua will go up against the veteran-landen Tinong’s Bakery Mandaue selection.

USC and USJ-R clinched the top spots in their respective brackets with similar clean 3-0 slates, while Team Liloanon and Tinong’s Bakery both finished the elimination phase with 2-1 win-loss records.

The winners will then clash for the men’s division championship of the tournament organized by M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) executive director Eddie B. Ybañez.

In the women’s crossover semis, Hiroshi of coach Ray Acojedo and team owner Harou Iwanaga will square off against RTM of Fr. Rolando Manayon at 1 pm. Afterwhich, the MLSDF All-Stars will test the mettle of the Hotel Fortuna-sponsored USJ-R belles.

The survivors will then slug it out for the coveted women’s tiara.

Hiroshi and the MLSDF All-Stars ended the classification round without defeat in three games, while RTM and USJ-R barged into the semis with identical 2-1 win-loss cards.

The championship matches will be played tomorrow at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Gymnasium, with the men’s battle being set in the morning and the women’s showdown in the afternoon.

The awarding ceremony will immediately be held right after the finals.

Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League

The Cebu eliminations of the 2nd Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League is set from June 20 to July 5. The venue will be announced by the organizers upon the confirmation of participating teams.

The two-week tilt is open to all players 18 years old and below. They should be a bonafide student of school year 2007-2008 of the school they represent. High school players who have graduated under Class 2007 are still qualified to play with their former shool team.

The champion will be flown in to Bacolod City to represent Cebu in the Shakey’s Tournament of Champions.

For further details, interested parties may keep in touch with event organizer Raul Gonzales of the Cebu Volleyball Federation (CVF) at 0917-3337112 or 253-1000 local 166 or call/text USPF coach Jordan Paca at 0910-9031644.— EBV