20 teams battle for supremacy in DH25 men’s volley tilt

VOLLEYBALL fans are in for a huge treat as the DH25 Men's Open Volleyball Tournament kicks on September 13. The venue of the tournament, which will last until September 15, is still being finalized.

The tournament is spearheaded by Cebu City Acting Vice Dondon Hontiveros but the sportsman-turned-politician assured that no government funds will be used in the competition as he himself and private sponsors will bankroll the event.

Hontiveros added that the staging of the tournament has nothing to do with politics as the competition is also open for non-Cebu City residents.

"This tournament is not about politics. If it were, participation would have been limited to Cebu City voters. But that’s not the case. We’ve opened this to volleyball players from any club or team in the Philippines,” Hontiveros said in a press briefing on Tuesday, September 10, at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Tournament manager Blake Diao, who will be assisted by Jordan Paca and Jessie Yungco, said the competition will be participated by clubs, collegiate teams, and commercial squads from across the country.

“There haven’t been many men’s open volleyball tournaments that are free from residency or other restrictions. Usually, such events are government-backed and require local residency,” Diao said.

A total of 20 teams have signed for the tournament.

Bracket A is composed of Cebu Governor’s Cup champions Naga Atong Garbo, former CESAFI champions CIT-U Wildcats, WFW Bankers, Endrablos, and Lowkey Cebu.

Bracket B will be led by CESAFI defending champions USJ-R Jaguars, Khalifa, Dacarys, UCLM, Amigos, and Don Paolo.

Competing in Bracket C are the USC Warriors, UC Valyrians, Oras Punto Diagnostics, Assassins, and Safelinx Allstars. Bracket D will have the UP Cebu Fighting Maroons, San Fernando Volitans, UC Baby Webmasters, Ribshack, and DPWH Regional Office 7.

The top two teams from each bracket will advance to the knockout stages, leading to the semifinals and finals to crown the champion.

“It’s time we provide more opportunities and exposure for our volleyball community,” Hontiveros said. “I’m grateful to the participants who committed on such short notice and to the organizers for swiftly putting this together.”

Tournament champion will receive P50,000, while the first runner-up will get P15,000. The third and fourth placers will pocket P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.(CCM)

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• #DH25 Men’s Open Volleyball Tournament
• #Cebu Sports