THE all-star volleyball squad led by former and current UAAP volleyball players put on a clinic against Baguio’s best collegiate squad in an exhibition match at the UB gymnasium on Sunday afternoon, September 3.
With Michelle Gumabao, Cha Cruz, Rachel Ann Daquis, Rosemarie Vargas, Melisa Gohing, Pau Soriano, Myla Pablo and Gyzelle Sy at the forefront, the former collegiate stars drubbed the Baguio squad, 25-15, 25-18, 25-19.
The Baguio squad was composed of players coming from the University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras and Saint Louis University.
Despite the loss, UB coaches Giselle Agudia and Rodolfo Delos Reyes said the exhibition game served as a learning avenue for the local squad.
Agudia added the match, despite a lopsided one, has given the local team a chance to compete against the country’s best volleyball players.
Event organizers meanwhile said the charity event will fund the operation of a former Bureau of Customs employee who will undergo a heart bypass and valve replacement.
The exhibition match is part of the few sports event lined up for the city’s 108th Charter Day that will last until October.
Among the sports events lined up include the Baguio Day Scrabble Tournament set on Sept. 9 and 10 where locals will be pitted against top tile pushers from Metro Manila and the Ilocos region.
“We expect a good number of players from Metro Manila so much so that two players will train for an international tournament in Africa later this year,” said Baguio-Benguet Word Builders Club president Huub Luyk, who is one of the main players in pushing for the sport.
Other events include the: Baguio Day Mountain Bike Fun Ride (September 9), Baguio Day Arnis National Championships (September 23 to 24), the Baguio Day Sanda Challenge (September 29 to October 1), and the Baguio Day Swimming Competition at the Baguio swimming pool on a date yet to be announced.
The city sports office caused the release of P250,000 equally divided among the events.
Four others events are also lined up like the Mr. Baguio "Nic Domalsin Cup," the Milo Little Olympics, the Baguio Day Run and the Baguio Day Football Cup. (Roderick Osis)