CESAFI volleyball: USJ-R men log fifth straight win

CEBU – The unstoppable University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) men’s squad logged its fifth straight victory after trouncing last year’s runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) in straight sets in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum yesterday.

The Grace Antigua-mentored USJ-R improved its chances of bagging the title with the huge 25-19, 25-15 and 25-17 win.

USJ-R’s victory came courtesy of the exemplary performances of the high-flying Ariel Carumba, Louijie Tipgos, Ken Abunda, and team captain Jacky Yrog-irog.

USPF of Coach Cecil Jotojot tried to bounce back with the attacks from Erwin Inso, Edward Ybañez, Ramil Espinosa and James Ryan Rivera, but these were not enough to change the outcome.

USJ-R cannot however relax yet as it enters the semi finals along with University of San Carlos, University of the Visayas and USPF next week. 

After being defeated by USJ-R last week, defending champions, USC Spiking Warriors made it sure that they will still pursue their campaign for a grand slam title as they earned a semifinal ticket after routing the University of Cebu at 22-25, 25-12, 25-12 and 25-17.

The Norvie Labuga-coached USC did not have a good start as UC took the opening set at 25-22.

However, USC bounced back and was successful in sweeping the remaining sets to claim the triumph through the explosive attacks of two-time CESAFI MVP Roderick Arenasa, Kennith Bensig, Dexter Tuazon, Jerone Maestre, Bonvie Estrera, Michael Alilin, Harvey Bernil, and Jeroel Aragones.

Next week, there will be a flashback of the rivalry between USC and USPF as they face each other.

Whoever wins the match will automatically occupy the second slot and the other on the third spot. Thus, they will still be seeing each other in the semifinals on Sunday to determine who will advance in the championship round. 

Meanwhile, the University of the Visayas claimed a semifinal ticket after slaughtering Cebu Doctors University 25-16, 25-6 and 25-13 with great plays from team captain Jade Becaldo, Jose Wendell Alcos, Edrick Apostol and Jose Marie Etcobanes.

In the distaff side, the USC female squad earned a semifinal ticket after pummeling their last opponent, UV in straight sets, 25-20, 25-19 and 25-15 behind Kim Ybañez, Jeremy Montalvo, Rachel Cumba, Richelle Doro-on and Angelita Ybañez.

USC will be joined by USPF, Southwestern University and defending champion USJ-R in the semifinal actions next week at the USC gym. – THE FREEMAN