Thinking of her future as a volleyball player, Cebuana Iris Tito decided to leave the University of Cebu (UC) girls’ volleyball team.
The 17-year-old Tito from Compostela town, northern Cebu has instead decided to join the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) in the upcoming Cesafi season.
In an exclusive chat with Cebu Daily News, Tito said her primary reason for leaving the Webmasters is due to the lack of training facility for volleyball in UC.
“There is no right place to hold a practice. We have to travel to Urgello to have our practice and worst is that when we arrive in the practice area, we will be sharing the volleyball court with another team,” Iris said.
Tito, however, clarified that the move was purely for her volleyball career and that she had no problems with regards to her academics in UC.
“In other words, I transferred because there are a lot of opportunities in USPF and with the help of my coach, coach Yolly Rizarri, I can benefit from my transfer,” she said.
USPF practices in its gym in its Lahug campus.
UC mentor Alan Flores admitted that the Webmasters are struggling to find practice venues for volleyball.
“Actually this time, since it’s summer, there’s a practice area in the main campus. But not during school days. We have no practice areas, even for the boys’ team,” Flores said.
‘Happy for the athlete’
UC athletic director Bernard Ricablanca said the school does have a gym in the Maritime Education and Training Center campus in Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City but it is usually used for physical education classes.
“In UC-METC, we have an indoor gym but the facility is available only in the evening because it is being used for PE,” Ricablanca said. “We will do something about [facility issue].”
Asked about the transfer of Tito to USPF, Ricablanca said, “I’m happy for the athlete.”
Meanwhile, USPF mentor Rizzari said that the addition of Tito will give the team versatility since she is a two-way player.
“She’s a potential indoor and beach volleyball player,” said Rizzari.