CESAFI Volleyball: USC, USJ-R now 3-0

CEBU – Two-time champion University of San Carlos (USC) and grandslam winner University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) continued to dominate their respective divisions, stretching their winning streaks to three games in a row in the 8th Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of the Visayas (UV) gym.

USC of coach Norvie Labuga had to go through a four-set thriller before gunning down the girtty University of the Visayas (UV) in the men's play.

The Carolinians took the first set, 25-21, but the Raffy Briones-mentored UV, buoyed by the warm cheers from homecourt fans and the smart plays of team captain Jade Becaldo, Jose Wendell Alcos, Edrick Apostol, and Jose Marie Etcobanes , countered with a precarious 26-24 victory in the second set.

That proved to be UV's last hurrah as the spirited USC spikers swept the next two frames in convincing fashion, 25-18, 25-19 to remain undefeated in three starts.

As usual two-time CESAFI MVP Roderick Arenasa, Kennith Bensig, Dexter Tuazon, Jerone Maestre, Bonvie Estrera, Michael Alilin and Jeroel Aragones figured prominently in USC's triumph.

In the women's division that featured the rematch of last year's finalists, the USJ-R belles of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua reaffirmed their mastery over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) but not without passing through some scary moments before eking out a five-set cliffhanger.

Propelled by the powerful attacks of former RP Youth members, Genie Sabas and Michelle Simbajon with the support of Cristy Aina Laroga, Joy Bonita, Avegale Getuaban and Rachel Hannah Singson, USJ-R snatched the first set 25-20.

But USPF staged a courageous fight-back to wrest the driver's seat, 2-1, after sweeping the next two sets, 25-20, 26-24 behind the exemplary performances of Ericka Camille Verano, Charrylou Paden, Apple Seraum, Jennylou Villeges, Honeylen Ybarita and Lovena Amor Pepito.

USJ-R, however, flashed the form and displayed the heart that enabled them to rule the CESAFI women's volleyball for the past three years by prevailing in a nerve-wracking fourth set battle, 25-22, for forge a rubbermatch.

In the deciding fifth set, Sabas and Simbajon rallied USJ-R to a 10-5 start, which they successfully parlayed into a breath-taking 15-12 victory.

USPF though still has something to cheer for as its men's squad overpowered league newcomer Cebu Doctors' University 25-13, 25-8 and 25-9 behind the efforts of Erwin Inso, Edward Ybañez, Ramil Espinosa and James Ryan Rivera.

In the other women's action, UV overcame a five-set thriller against CDU, 28-30, 25-18, 17-25, 25-20, while USC shackled the University of Cebu in straight sets, 25-15, 25-14, 25-19. – FREEMAN NEWS