SWU belles face tough challenge in Uni Games

CEBU, Philippines - Fresh from a historic campaign in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI), the Southwestern University (SWU) women’s volleyball team will try to push their level of play a notch higher as they see action in the 14th University Games set from October 24 to 30 in Iloilo City.

The reigning CESAFI champions are confident of improving their quarterfinal finish last year owing to their bevy of hard-hitting attackers and cunning defensive players

“We are looking forward to improve our quarterfinal finish last year. Considering that our team have shown a lot of improvements this time, we’re hopeful that we could make it to the top four,” said SWU coach Joerem Yu.

As usual, Yu will bank on the exemplary performances of his top guns in the mold of team captain Lorie May Layno, Raphril Aguilar, Danika Gendrauli and Danalie Baquiro.

 “These ladies were instrumental in our recent success but as much as possible I would like to mobilize all my players just like what I did during the CESAFI games,” Yu said.

Two weeks ago, the SWU belles weathered a five-set thriller to dethrone the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and clinch their first ever volleyball crown in nine-year CESAFI history.

SWU faces an uphill battle though as it is bracketed alongside University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, Far Eastern University, University of Sto. Tomas and Adamson University.

“As what I observed in their practice last Monday, their performance were indeed competitive and they are ready for the great battle ahead,” Yu added.

SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar, on the other hand, said the Uni Games is a major test to the team’s capability as well as measuring gauge to the level of their skills.

“I just told them to give their best in the Uni Games to know their skills kung asa sila dapit. And I know they can learn a lot from this sporting event knowing that some of the teams come from Manila,” Aznar said.

“Also, their CESAFI triumph would be a morale-booster for them in the Uni Games.” – Marigold P. Lebumfacil   (FREEMAN NEWS)