USC fights back to beat SLU

The University of San Carlos Warriors bounced back from an opening day loss to beat Baguio’s St. Louis University (SLU) in the second day of men’s volleyball action at the 2007 National University Games (Uni-Games) in Bacolod City.

USC, the defending CESAFI volleyball champion, came from behind to whip SLU in a thrilling five-setter that lasted nearly three hours.

After losing the first set 23-25, USC came charging back to take the second and third sets, 25-17 and 25-20, with inspired plays from captain Roderick Arenasa, Edward Carlo Tecson, Jerone Maestre, Kenneth Bensig, Mark Pepito and Dennis Gepolvida.

The Warriors tried to wrap up the match but couldn’t stop SLU’s determined rally and lost the fourth set, 21-25.

USC trailed in the first few minutes of the deciding set but took the lead a 12-9, again behind Arenasa’s brilliance.

Tecson and Bensig then sealed the Warriors’ first victory in the games with two service aces to win 15-10.

“In the first set we had a lot of miscommunication, we had a lot bad plays, and we were not our usual selves. It seems that we are still adjusting because SLU was quite a tough opponent. However, we were able to recover in the second and third sets and all of us were in high-spirits, which is one of the reasons for our team’s victory,” said USC team captain, Roderick Arenasa.

“We are hoping to perform well in our game tomorrow against another powerhouse team, the University of Sto. Tomas,” Arenasa added.

In basketball, the USC Warriors, runner-up in CESAFI’s collegiate basketball tournament, cruised to a 90-66 victory over La Carlota College.

Two-time CESAFI MVP Enrico Llanto led the team’s attack. Niño Ramirez, Carlo Padayao, Giovanni Padillo, Sam Hermosa and Robert Codilla also played well for the Warriors.

USC goes up against St. Francis of Assisi at 9:00 a.m. and then Ateneo de Zamboanga at 4:00 p.m. today.