USPF, SWU go 5-0 in Partners' Cup volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Fresh from bagging a gold in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) Regional Games in Dumaguete City, the CDO Idol Cheese Hotdog-backed University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) immediately went back to business and swept all its assignments in the resumption of the CESAFI Partners’ Cup volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym.

 USPF of coach Jordan Paca trounced Virginia Premium Corned Beef/Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) and Metro Gaisano/ University of the Visayas (UV) to fortify its hold of the overall lead with an immaculate 5-0 record.

The reigning CESAFI champion pummeled CDU, 25-14, 25-13, 25-20 behind the great plays of star player Ericka Camille Verano together with Jennielou Fernn Villeguez, Apple Saraum, Dianne Navaja, Jovi Abil, Honeylyn Ybarita, and Amor Pepito.

“The girls were really tired (coming from the PRISAA Meet), but I’m just glad that they tried their best to win all their games today,” said Paca.

Later in the afternoon, the formidable USPF belles maintained their momentum by routing the winless UV in straight sets, 25-20, 25-14, 25-10.

It’s a double whammy for UV as it earlier bowed to strong title contender R. Lapid’s Chicharon/ Southwestern University (SWU), 15-25, 17-25, 20-25.

Thus, the Joerem Yu-mentored SWU joined USPF atop the leaderboard without defeat in five starts, so far.

SWU’s triumph was courtesy of the reigning CESAFI beach volley champ Danika Yolanda Gendrauli and Lorie May Layno. They were heavily backed up by Elizabeth Emnace, Rhea Loayon, Aureen Pero and Danalie Baquiro.

On the other hand, the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park/ University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua secured a semifinal ticket after thumping the Lion Tiger Aerosol/USC in a four-set thriller, 25-18, 21-25, 25-18, 31-29.

The loss puts USC in a must-win situation against CDU next week to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)