8TH CESAFI VOLLEYBALL: USC, USJ-R in men's final anew

CEBU - Back-to-back champion University of San Carlos (USC) and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) booked another championship date after trouncing their respective rivals in the men’s semifinals action of the 8th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament the other day at the USC gym.

The USC Spiking Warriors outclassed USPF in four sets, 3-1, while USJ-R swept the University of the Visayas (UV), 3-0, to take another crack at the coveted title held by the Carolinians for two years now.

The first set saw USPF leading by two, 11-9, but back-to-back CESAFI MVP Roderick Arenasa and Kennith Bensig sparked a spirited rally to put USC on top, 21-18, for good.

Behind the efforts of team captain Erwin Inso, USPF tied the score at 24-all, but the triumvirate of Dexter Tuazon, Jerone Maestre and Bonvie Estrera put their acts together in scoring two straight points to seal the wifor USC, 26-24.

In the second set, USPF again took the early lead but Estrera charged back to give USC a 12-9 edge. As Carolinians maintained a 24-21 lead, Edward Ybañez, Michael Ryan Abut and John Paul Pabololot countered with a 3-0 run to knot the count at 24-all.

The last deadlock stood at 26-all as Maestre and Arenasa drilled in power attacks to wrap up the set, 28-26, and give USC a commanding 2-0 advantage.

After being pushed to the limit in the first two sets, USC toned down offensively, allowing USPF to fire back in the third set in dominating fashion, 25-15, thanks to the sterling performances of Inso, Ybañez and Ramil Espinosa.

The Norvie Labuga-mentored USC shot back to life in the second set where they raced to a sizzling 16-9 start. Ybañez and Inso of USPF fought back to close the gap down to just a hairline, 22-23. However, two successive service errors by Abut and Ybañez brought heavy damage to USPF, allowing USC to go for the kill, 25-23.

Former USC Vice President for Finance Fr. Vic L. Uy, SVD, who now serves as the first Philippine Sports Commissioner from Cebu, proved to be the Carolinians’ lucky charm. Fr. Uy was at the sidelines acting as USC’s chief cheerleader and his presence worked wonders for the team especially when the game was on the line.

“I am hoping that they would bag the grandslam title this year because so far I could see that the players were really trying their best to show and give pride and honor to USC,” said Uy.

In the other men’s semis duel, the undefeated USJ-R of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua were unstoppable in claiming a final ticket with a 25-19, 25-18, 25-16 dumping of UV.

The formidable star players of USJ-R composed of team captain Jacky Yrog-irog, Ken Abunda, Louijie Tipgos, Jesriel Pino, Leoniel Sanchez and Ariel Carumba vaulted the Spiking Jaguars to an easy victory.

The title matches as well as the battle for third place in both divisions will be contested tomorrow starting at 1 pm still at the USC-Main gym. (THE FREEMAN)