CESAFI volleyball finals set today

CEBU, Philippines – The day of reckoning as to who is the best volleyball squad in this year's Cebu Schools Athletic Founda-tion Inc. (CESAFI) season beckons today as four powerhouse teams slug it out for glory and bragging rights at the University of San Carlos-Main gym.

After an uphill climb in the semifinals, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars found another hope of defending their title but they must brace for one big war as they clash head-on with the dangerous University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) for the women's division championship.

And USJ-R coach Grace Antigua may be right in downplaying their chances of staying on their throne and secure a rare grandslam feat.

USJ-R has to deal with the top guns of USPF in the likes of Edward Ybañez, Jesselito Moncada, Allan Caspillo and Jonrey Opone.

In the women's bracket, it would be a grudge rematch of sort between reigning titlist Southwestern Uni-versity (SWU) of coach Jordan Paca and USPF.

Last year, SWU had to pass through a five-set thriller before pinning down USPF to take home the crown.

"I'm just lucky to handle the strongest collegiate squads. It's not so hard for me to make the necessary adjustments and live up to the expectations of the people. We could not say anything at this time yet since the ball is round but I believe we have greater chances (of winning the title)," said Paca.

The morning games will feature the battle for third place pitting the University of San Carlos (USC) against the University of the Visayas (UV) in the men's and USC versus USJ-R in the women's division. (FREEMAN)