USPF, USJ-R score five-game sweeps in volleyball tourney

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) outlasted the University of San Carlos (USC), 3-0, in the clash of unbeaten squads to complete a five-game elimination round sweep in the women’s division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) collegiate volleyball over the weekend at the USPF gym.

The Jordan Paca-mentored USPF took an early 7-4 lead but after seven deadlocks, the Carolinians wrested the driver’s seat, 15-12.

Reigning Nestea Beach Volley national champion Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum along with Jennielou Fern Villeguez and Honeylyn Ybarita then put their acts together in staging a 7-0 run to put USPF back on top, 18-15.

Behind the efforts of Methosheena Bate, Nina Irish Cortes, Suzette Panis and Jerymie Montalvo, USC of coach Roderick Arenasa was ahead for the last time at 22-21 as after a 24-all standoff, Verano took matters into his own hands in powering USPF to a hard-earned 26-24 triumph in the first set.

In the second frame, USC sprinted to an 8-6 lead but Villeguez scored a couple of service aces and then Verano and Saraum bombarded the Carolinians with powerfuls attacks during a 7-0 blast that pushed USPF ahead, 12-8, for good. USPF never looked back from there onwards to seal a resounding 25-18 victory.

Just when they needed to step up with their backs pinned against the wall, USC went ice-cold in the third set, allowing the USPF belles to frolick their way to an easy 25-12 win.

In the other women’s match, Southwestern University (SWU) carved history in its three-set demolition of the University of Cebu as it limited UC to a pitiful one point in the second set.

SWU of coach Joerem Yu pummeled UC in the opening session, 25-12, behind the devastating plays of its first six, Lorie May Layno, Danika Gendrauli, Elizabeth Emnace, Danalie Baquiro, Raphril Aguilar and Luilyn Paciño.

Then came the unexpected massacre.

SWU opened the second set with a blistering 18-0 assault. Had it not been for the error of SWU’s Anna Bennova Sabanal, UC could have laid one, big fat egg.

In the third set, SWU did not waste time in finishing off the hapless UC, 25-18.

SWU, thus, joined USC at second place with identical 4-1 win-loss records.

On the other hand, Mary Joy Bonita, Rachel Hanna Singson and Abegail Praca powered the University of San Jose-Recoletos of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua to a 25-20, 25-22, 25-18 whacking of the University of the Visayas (UV).

In the men’s bracket, USJ-R cruised to its fifth straight win in as many starts at the expense of USPF, 25-23, 25-19, 25-22.

As usual, the deadly one-two punch of Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos starred for USJ-R as well as Ken Abunda, Leoniel Sanchez, Jesriel Pino and Jacky Yrog-irog.

In the other games, USC mauled Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT), 25-18, 25-21, 25-17, courtesy of Kennith Bensig, Bon Vincent Estrera, Ryan Mark Abut, Jerone Maestre and Dennis Sepulveda, while UV dumped Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU), 25-9, 25-12, 25-11, thanks to Jade Becaldo, Robie Vincent Estiola, Aldrin Dayday and Roland Suan. (FREEMAN NEWS)