INQUIRER Sports

FLORIAN Gutierrez added some more hardware to her already-bulging collection as she grabbed the Most Valuable Player award in the women?s division of the city cluster competition of the 2009 Governor Gwendolyn Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup during the finale last Sunday at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City .

Gutierrez, the country?s one and only player to have won the national title in the Nestea Beach Volley Circuit three times, was in a class all on her own as she led Talisay City to the title after beating Mandaue City in four sets in the title match last Sunday.

Two other players took home MVP awards aside from capturing the title. These were Cherry Petalcorin in the women?s division of the provincial cluster and Ramil Espinosa, in the men?s class of the city cluster.

Petalcorin was a vital cog in pushing the Catmon belles to a second straight Guv Cup title following their four-set romp over Liloan. Espinosa on the other hand, was the glue that held the star-studded cast of Mandaue, which beat Talisay City for the title in the men?s city cluster.

University of San Jose-Recoletos assistant coach Dave Arreza, captured the MVP plum in the men?s provincial cluster in spite losing to powerhouse Liloan in the finals. He was also named as the Coach of the Year. Arreza?s teammates also won two special awards as Nathaniel Abellano was named as the best blocker in their division while Aljohn Archival was named best libero.

Liloan then had Junrey Sasing named as the best server and Jelan Visoc, as the best attacker.

Catmon also had two players get distinctions in the women?s provincial class as Athena Sucalit was named as the best attacker while Melanie Silvestre grabbed the best setter award. Luanne Lawian of Minglanilla was named as best blocker; Lynette Auza of Liloan was named as best server while Diana Brian of Sogod was named as best libero.

The rest of the special award winners in the men?s city cluster were Kevin Casia (best attacker), Enryl Simeon (best blocker), Norvie Labuga (best setter), Roderick Arenasa (best server) and Jade Dionson (best libero). The women?s city cluster award winners were Joren Sanchez (best attacker), Roselyn Balngcasag (best setter), Marissa Lagancia (best blocker), Mechelle Matuguina (best server) and Lovena Pepito (best libero). Correspondent Jonas Panerio