Following its successful staging last year, the 3rd JGM Finance Corporation U17 Volleyball Tournament drawn eight secondary schools in the Visayas Region competing in the 4-day event set May 18-21 at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School covered court.
Among the teams seeing action are Ateneo de Cebu, Ateneo de Iloilo, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, Trinity Christian School, Colegio San Agustin Bacolod, Bata National High School and Tay Tung Thunderbolts Teams A and B.
For JGM president Jose Montalbo, this tournament is just a stepping stone for a bigger competition in the future. “We are looking forward to have a bigger event next year. I already got words from teams in Manila that they will be participating in next year’s event,” he added.
Montalbo added that with this tournament, they would be able to lift the level of competitiveness of volleyball in the region.
Bacolod City Councilor Ricardo ‘Cano’ Tan, who was a former Philippine Football Federation president, also challenged the participants of the 3rd JGM Finance Corporation U17 Volleyball Tournament to give their best shot. “Always focus on your game. Make every game your last so that you can focus all your talents on it.”
Tan also stressed that volleyball is the future sports in Bacolod City. “With all the efforts and leadership of JGM president Jose Montalbo, volleyball will be our next home of champions,” he said. “I would like to congratulate everyone who has contributed to make this volleyball tournament a reality. For me, you are all champions,” he added.
The legislator also lauded Montalbo for his concern to volleyball. “I believe that your sponsorship to this sport will go a long way. “Keep up the good work and let the fires of sports be in your heart always and let it be your passion. Thank you for the moving spirit of sports for Bacolod,” he added.
With Montalbo behind volleyball, Tan believes that there is a big chance of developing players who are already world class. “I see this tournament to discover new talents form our grassroots that will surely deliver a new hope for Bacolod,” he added.
Also present during the opening ceremony is Tay Tung Sports Development Chairman Ben Lo, BOT Member Vic Tan and Academic Head Ruth Espeso.