DOWN TWO key volleybelles, Mandaue City remains optimistic of its chances in the Governor’s Cup 18-Under Inter-cities and Municipalities Volleyball Tournament best-of-three Finals.
Mandaue, the North Division champion, faces South Division ruler Carcar City in Game 1 of the series tonight at the Carcar City Complex.
Mandaue City head coach Jerry Perdiguez said his team, which went unbeaten in the elimination and quarterfinal rounds, will be missing two key players, Chinnie Pia Arroyo and Alexandra Adolfo, due to injuries, thus, jeopardizing the team’s chances of winning the title.
“Both of them played a big role for the team [in this tournament],” said Perdiguez in an interview with Cebu Daily News last night.
Arroyo suffered an ankle injury during their match against Danao City last Saturday evening in the Tapang At Malasakit National Basketball & Volleyball Tournament of Presidential son Paolo Duterte at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex. That game was supposed to be a tune-up match in preparation for their championship series against Carcar. Adolfo is also recovering from another injury.
Still, Perdiguez thinks his team has a fighting chance against Carcar.
“We did not lose the entire team. We only lost two players because of injuries. I trust [the other] players will deliver,” Perdiguez said.
Carcar City assistant coach Ragecil Rentuma, meanwhile, said his team is excited to start the championship series at their home court.
“The entire city of Carcar is very excited because this is our first time competing in a championship series in the Governor’s Cup,” he said. “We are excited as well even though there’s pressure on our side because we will be facing a very tough team in Mandaue City.”
Carcar is expected to rely on ace volleybelles Erllene Unabia and Marie Manlangit in this series.
“They are both very good all-around players. Our entire team is ready, we are in great shape and we’ve practiced for this very well,” Rentuma added.