INQUIRER Sports

Volleyball action intensifies today as the top teams in the men and women?s divisions of the provincial and city clusters duke it out today for the right to advance to the semifinals of the 2009 Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup, at the Cebu International Convention Center.

The city cluster competition is expected to be a rough-and-tumble affair with the teams being bannered by current and former stars in the collegiate volleyball scene. Advancing to the next round in the women?s division are Mandaue, Talisay, Danao and Carcar. Multiple-time champions Lapu-Lapu City did not join this year?s tournament.

Mandaue is considered by many to be the team to beat with their core anchored by Southwestern University star Danika Gendrauli and University of Southern Philippines Foundation power-hitter Apple Saraum. Talisay on the other hand, counters with former University of San Jose-Recoletos ace Mechelle Matuguina and Florian Gutierrez, the only three-time winner of the Nestea Beach Volley Circuit.

The men?s side will have Talisay, Mandaue, Toledo and Carcar competing for the title. Talisay is being captained by Norvie Labuga, a former stalwart of USJ-R while the University of San Carlos duo of former Cesafi MVP Roderick Arenasa and Carlo Tecson banner Mandaue?s bid.

The teams advancing to the next round in the provincial cluster are Liloan, Dumanjug, Daan Bantayan, Moalboal, Tuburan, Dalaguete, Minglanilla, Barili, Sta. Fe, Catmon, Compostela and Carmen in the men?s division.

Advancing in the women?s side are Catmon, Minglanilla, Compos-tela, Daan Bantayan, Boljoon, Dalaguete, Sta. Fe, Liloan, Badian, Barili, Sogod and Tuburan.