INQUIRER Sports

Minglanilla and Talisay City asserted their supremacy in the provincial and city clusters as they each sent their men?s and women?s squads to the championship games in the 2009 Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup.

This after they chalked up crucial wins in the semifinals yesterday at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.

The men's squad of Minglanilla, who are on a six-game winning streak spanning the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, had no trouble dispatching of Moalboal, which they beat in straight sets, 25-11, 25-13, 25-11, to gain a spot in the finals, scheduled today.

With wily setter Kareem Datig setting the table up perfectly for the high-flying Dave Arreza and O'Neil Sanchez, Minglanilla simply was unstoppable.

However, the title match is expected to go a little differently as they will be battling the equally-formidable Liloan.

Liloan gained the other finals slot after defeating Compostela in easy fashion, 25-17, 25-16, 25-22. Liloan will be hinging their chances for the crown and the cash on stalwarts James Rivera, Marianito Gomez, Angelino Visoc, Maynard Alejandrino, Jackie Yrog-Yrog and Jade Becaldo.

On the distaff side, Minglanilla likewise barged into the finals after trouncing Liloan, 25-16, 25-19, 25-19.

With a cast of relative unknowns including Vanessa Juesan, Luanne Lawian and Janice Sellon, they were able to set up a date in the finals versus the defending champions Catmon, which beat Sta. Fe, 25-21, 25-19, 29-27.

In the city cluster competition, Talisay will be in the championship games in the men?s and women?s classes after coming away with contrasting wins in the semifinals.

The women's team played their hearts out and beat Danao, 25-11, 25-11, 25-11. Their men's team though, did not break a sweat in getting to the finals as they won over Carcar via default.

The other finals seat in the women's competition belonged to Mandaue City following their default victory over Carcar. Mandaue also has a chance to send both their teams to the finals as their men's team was still battling Toledo as of this writing.