Ten volleyball teams from across Davao Oriental assembled at the provincial capitol-covered court on October 8, 2022, for the pilot sporting event of the provincial government dubbed as 1st GOV. CORA CUP: Invitational Men’s Volleyball One-Day League.
The event is part of the provincial sports development program spearheaded by Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon through the Provincial Sports Coordinator Engr. Ging Rodriguez in partnership with the Provincial Youth Development Office. This volleyball league is one of the province’s sporting lineups envisioned to continue upholding the development of sports at the grassroots level and generate fresh talents that will represent respective towns at various sports competitions.
The following teams saw action at the said league; Miloy Volleyball Club of Cateel, Caraga Rising Sun, Volleyball Club of Baganga and Caraga, Manay Volleyball Club, Tarragona’s The Generals, Banaybanay United Barboys, merged athletes from San Isidro and Governor Generoso of Team Wara, Davao Oriental State University Stingrays, JCD Mati Matic, MAVA Rising Stars and Team Gov Cora DavOr MVT.
The league’s frontrunners Gov Cora DavOr MVT rallied the ball stronger to clutch the title as the initial Champion of GOV. CORA CUP and brought home a cash prize of Php 15,000.00, a trophy, and medals for each team player. City of Mati Councilor Jimboy C. Dayanghirang’s team Mati Matic emerged as the first runner-up and stashed away Php 10,000.00 and medals.
DORSU Stingrays who will also compete in the upcoming Mindanao Association of State Tertiary Schools (MASTS) Meet this November hailed as 2nd runner-up and bagged Php 7,000.00 while the Mati Amateur Volleyball Association (MAVA) Rising Stars won Php 4,000.00 as the league’s 3rd runner-up. Non-winning teams on the other hand received Php 2,500.00 each as consolation prize.
Meanwhile, Gov. Malanyaon emphasized the significance of encouraging the youth’s active participation at the grassroots to dissuade them from the influence of illegal drug abuse and other criminalities that “might compromise their future,”, citing sports also as a tool in uniting people across generations.
“Sports development is human development,” Gov. Malanyaon said underscoring that people develop sound mind and body through sports, which will help them hurdle obstacles in life. Thus molding them to become responsible and disciplined citizens in their respective communities.
With evident physical sports activities re-emerging after the pandemic, Engr. Ging Rodriguez revealed plans in making GOV. CORA CUP a regular branding to other inter-LGU leagues in different sports, including E-Sports and the annual inter-office competition that is primarily hosted by the provincial government.
Engr. Rodriguez also encouraged private and business sectors to engage with the provincial government in hosting different sporting competitions and any other related events.
The First GOV. CORA CUP was also sponsored by Areca’s Business Center, Ritztok Constructions, Asia Brewery Incorporated, Sairah Gel Catering Services, Solid Pearl Builders & Design, Mr. Sherwin Matucol, Ms. Mayet Rosa, Vice-Governor Niño Sotero L. Uy Jr., BM Nennette Palmera, BM Tata Nuñez-Castro, BM Shella Marie Go, DOLE Provincial Director Rodolfo Castro, Provincial Administrator Ma. Gracia Tiago, PADAC Action Officer BGen Leopoldo Imbang (Ret) PA and Provincial Youth Development Officer Van Jorain Rufin. By Van Jorain Rufin | Photos by Mark Oliver Alvite
