USC starts bid of Region VII with win

ILOILO CITY - The University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors men''s volleyball team opened up Central Visayas'' bid in a high note as they hurdled their first assignment in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games played at the Iloilo Doctors'' College dentistry gym here.

The USC Warriors with reinforcements from the University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of the Visayas and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation went too much for PRISAA-XII team after claiming the game in three straight sets, 25-12, 21-13, 25-16.

The Cebuanos opened the battle behind the triumvirate of Roderick Arenasa, Carlo Tecson and James Ryan Rivera.

In the second set, Tecson and Rivera took a rest to let their team members do the job and they responded well to the coaching of Eugene dela Cerna and Norvie Labuga.

The second set was sealed with the powerful jump serves of Arenasa with four straight points to his credits.

Last year, PRISAA-VII, then represented by USJ-R with Arenasa as the lone USC player picked up by coach Grace Antigua, ended their quest at third spot after beating Central Luzon. It was Calabarzon, which dominated the action.

Now, its Arenasa''s team taking the charge for PRISAA-VII after winning the CESAFI and then the PRISAA Regional Meet.

The PRISAA National Games 2007 opened yesterday afternoon at the Iloilo Sports Complex with Philippine Sports Commission chairman William "Butch" Ramirez as the guest of honor in lieu of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Before the opening ceremonies, action in the men''s volleyball, basketball, as well as badminton, baseball and football took place. Schedule of games, however, is still being revised with some regions pulling off their teams in the last minute although they have already submitted their athletes'' credentials. - Caecent No-ot-Magsumbol