VOLLEYBALL GRAND PRIX, PART II

The World Women's Volleyball Grand Prix, which attracted the best volleyball players of the globe and legions of sports fans in its inaugural staging here last year, will make its second coming in a much bigger version beginning Aug. 18 at the Ninoy Aquino stadium.

The likes of Leila Barros, the pretty Brazilian spiker who won the admiration of a local crowd and eventually the most valuable player award, lead a strong roster of volleyball greats from the world's top eight teams, including China, Cuba, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States.

This time, instead of holding only the preliminaries, the organizers will host the finals, an added treat to fans who missed the finale held in China last year.

Among the superstars many Filipinos still recall from last year's action are Virna Dias of Brazil, Taimarys Aguero and Yumnika Ruiz of Cuba, Maurizia Cacciatori and Francesca Piccinini of Italy and Chang Yoon-hee and Park Soo-jeong of Korea.

Brazil and Cuba won the four-week preliminaries which ended in Manila to advance to the finals against China and Russia, which won in the other group. Cuba won last year's crown.

The eight teams will be divided into two groups of four teams. The first group composed of Brazil, Italy, Korea and Russia, will see action at the Philsports Arena Aug. 18-20.

The other half, composed of Cuba, the USA, Japan and China will play in various Asian cities.

The preliminaries will consist of four legs, the last of which will be held at the Philsports Arena.

All eight teams will dispute the $1 million cash prize in the finals Aug. 24-27.

"Last year we held the biggest international sporting event in the country with the Grand Prix. This year, we are holding not only the biggest but the most competitive volleyball tournament outside the Olympics," said Benny Gopez, co-chairman of the organizing committee.

"If last year was exciting, these coming events will surely double that as more teams are coming in," he said.

San Juan Mayor Jinggoy Estrada, head of the executive committee, is also doing everything to make sure that the event will be a success.

"We hope to bring events of this magnitude to fans not only for entertainment but also as a way to inspire our young to take up this exciting sport," he said.

Also extending its full support is the Philippine Sports Commission whose chair, Carlos Tuason has agreed to join the executive committee.

Because the two events are scheduled one month before the Olympics, the teams will use the Grand Prix to fine tune their skills and map their strategies for the Sydney Games.

Olympic and world champion Cuba won the inaugural title of the Grand Prix inh 1993 although Brazil has proved to be the most successful in the circuit by winning in 1994, 1996 and 1998. Cuba won in 1999.

The United States triumphed in 1995 while Russia was tops in 1997.

The Manila event will be televised live by Viva-Vintage Sports, Inc. while ESPN will do the international coverage.