2000 VOLLEYBALL GRAND PRIX TO BE STAGED IN CEBU?

THE UNIVERSITY of San Carlos gymnasium is the probable venue of the third leg of eliminations of the 2000 World Women’s Volleyball Grand Prix on Aug. 18-20 in Cebu city.

This development came after Ramon Suzara, Philippine representative and development commission member of the Federacion Internationale du Volleyball (International Volleyball Federation) gave his nod for the USC gym.

The New Cebu Coliseum met all requirements but one—the length of the ceiling lights from the court is only 35 meters, which fails to meet the FIV’s 40-meter requirement. “They conducted inspection here, and they approved all our equipment except the height of the ceiling lights from the court. Councilor (Anthony Jones) Luy told me that Mr. Suzara said it did not qualify,” NCC manager Ben Tulda told Sun.Star.

Tulda said the ceiling lights are important because the ball could bounce high up in sharp stops.

Luy said the USC gym satisfied all the physical requirements. “I don’t know yet what will be their (Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association) decision, if they are going to hold theGrand Prix at the USC gym. All Suzara told me was that it passed the standards,” Luy said.

The USC gym however needs to be air-conditioned. The host City though will be asked to install air-conditioners at the venue.

The world’s four top-ranked teams will be seeing action here, led by the popular Brazilian team, whose star player Leila Barros has earned a large following in the country after she played in the other leg held in Manila.

Brazil, ranked No.3 in the world, will compete against Italy (6th), Russia (2nd) and South Korea (7th) in a single round robin Group Felimination. RCM

**AS A FOOTNOTE GUYS, CONTRARY TO THIS ARTICLE, THE 3rd LEG OF THE VOLLEY GRAND PRIX WOULD NOT BE HELD IN CEBU BUT IN MANILA - VISIT THE GRAND PRIX' OFFICIAL SITE TO CHECK SKEDS AND FOR FURTHER DETAILS.