CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) thrashed the University of the Visayas (UV) in straight sets, 25-12, 25-15, 25-8 for its second straight win in the women's division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball competition yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.
"I'm glad that the girls performed well. They also showed great teamwork and I kept telling them to have focus and think that they're always facing tough opponents," said USPF coach Jordan Paca.
Reigning Nestea Beach Volley tiltist Erika Camille Verano and Apple Eve Saraum bannered USPF's resounding victory. They drew ample support from the triumvirate of Honneylyn Ybarita, Dianne Navaja and Jellifer Villeguez.
On the other hand, former Palaro mainstay Methosheena Bate had a memorable debut with the University of San Carlos, powering the Carolinians to an easy 25-12, 25-20, 25-14 disposition of the University of Cebu.
Bate was strongly backed up by Jeremy Montalvo, Anna Krist Capinpin, Akemi Aono, Margie Montejo, Mangelina Villaflores and Chona Gesulga.
Southwestern University (SWU) also emerged victorious at the expense of the Cebu Doctors' University, 25-7, 25-12, 25-7, behind the efforts of Lorie May Layno, Mary Luilyn Paciño, Danalie Baquiro and Elizabeth Emnace.
"We will try our best to make it to the finals, but we still don't know what will happen. I just told my players to always think that every game is their last," said SWU mentor Joerem Yu.
In the men's bracket, USPF and UV shared the lead with similar clean 2-0 slates. USPF clobbered CDU, 25-10, 25-9, 25-14, while UV survived a four-set thriller against UC, 25-19, 21-25, 25-16, 25-17. –- Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)