Volleyball and football

Although it was quite late in the evening last Thursday, several people trooped to the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex to witness the battle for third place and the championship match of the Baybayon, Looc, Mandaue Volleyball Open.

It was good that the sports complex was available for the final day of the tournament that had several of the country’s finest players seeing action.

The Philippine Army team was virtually the national squad, but it lost to RTM-La Salle in a five-set thriller.

If not for a grumbling stomach, I might have decided to stay on beyond the second set of the championship match, but it was already 11 p.m. and there are no places to eat in the sports facility.

If we would have more events like this in venues that are accessible, I am very sure that even those who don’t play or never played volleyball would be there to watch.

I heard the names Rene and Erlinda Froilan mentioned very often by the courtside announcer as the ones who made the tournament happen. Thank you very much to both of you for allowing the Cebuanos, not just the people of Mandaue and Barangay Looc, to enjoy volleyball.

There is another tournament set next weekend at the old Sacred Heart School gym along Gen. Maxilom Ave. on Saturday and at the USPF Gym in Lahug on Sunday. This is organized by Sky Walkers Cebu and Spike Sports.

If you are not watching the Sinulog parade on Sunday, then head on to Lahug for this tournament.

These events further cement Cebu’s title as volleyball capital of the Philippines.

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While volleyball is very popular here, so is football and this weekend, the Sinulog Football festival will be held at the University of San Carlos-Talamban field and the old home of Cebu football, the San Roque Parish Field in Mandaue City.

This is organized by the Cebu Amateur Football Club (CAFC) and the Cebu City Sports Commission.

Engr. Ricky Dakay, one of the biggest pillars of the CAFC, told me yesterday that last year’s success encouraged the group to hold another one this year.

I read from reports that there are over 200 teams participating coming not only from Cebu, but also other areas.

While CAFC has been organizing the annual interclub tournament every school break, it plunged into the festival-type events only last year.

What is good with festival-type events is that for a brief period, you are with so many other football fanatics – age group players, varsity players, stars of the UFL, former players, parents, coaches, and many more.

The matches are also very short, but the emphasis on certain football skills in not really lost despite the smaller fields.

Don’t forget your sunscreen and bring along rain gear if you are going there this weekend.

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MILESTONES: Belated birthday greetings to Maj. Gen. Jesus Fajardo, who retirement ceremony I attended yesterday afternoon.

Today’s greetings go to sports columnist and TV host Bill Velasco, Grace Lacamiento, Tito Mark Aliño, my idol photographer Ted Madamba, Mark Dy, The Freeman’s Emee Lucena, and my mistah Lt. Col. Miguel Okol, spokesman of the PAF.

Advance greetings to Atty. James Lobedica, Manuel Q. Kee, Roy Michael Dacalos, and Adonis Sucalit, who are celebrating tomorrow.

More power to all of you!