By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Volleyball action is returning to the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City through the 2023 Volleyball League from January 12 to 15 at the city’s Jaro Gym, Fundidor Gym and YMCA Gym.
According to Gametime Sports founder Rodolfo Go Villaruz, the three-day volleyball tournament will have four divisions, namely: women’s open, girls’ 18-under, men’s open, and boys’ 18-under.
“This is not an exclusive tournament for Iloilo City-based teams as there are squads coming from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Metro Manila, Antique, and Aklan,” Villaruz said.
Bacolod Tay Tung High School leads the Women’s Open teams along with University of San Agustin (USA), Central Philippine University (CPU) seniors team and juniors team, JJB-Sta. Barbara, Dr. Jack, A and T Acers, Immaculada Concepcion College, Quinto BIBO players, and Kings Montessori School.
Playing in the girls’ 18-under category were Bacolod Tay Tung High School, Iloilo City Sports Academy, St. John’s Institute-Bacolod, Trinity Christian School, Pontevedra Fire Antz, Ateneo de Iloilo, Silay City, Pototan, A and T Acers, La Paz National High School, and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.
Participating teams in the men’s open were Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, the Philippine National Police, Tarag, CPU, USA, Zarraga, Team G, Silay City, WVCST, VIBOYZ, and Ateneo de Cebu- Sacred Heart School.
Playing in the boys’ 18-under were Aklan Catholic College, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, JR. Tigers, Taft Eatery, Notre Dame of Dadiangas University, Team Loyal of Silay, Himamaylan City, Cabanatuan Ignites, Livingstones, Zarraga, San Miguel, CPU, Antique, Icons, and G. Panes Construction.
Villaruz said that the squads for each category would be divided into two groups with the top two finishers per group advancing to the crossover semifinals. The semifinals winners will then move on to the championship round.
“This is a welcome event as we failed to have a Dinagyang volleyball tournament during the pandemic period,” Villaruz said.
“We expect each division to be competitive as we see the participating teams forming their best team possible to give entertainment to Ilonggo volleyball fans coming to Dinagyang,” he said./ASC, WDJ