Unbeaten USJ-R spikers reach quarters

CEBU, Philippines – Loaded with great will power and fortitude to win, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars completed a four-game sweep to advance into the quarterfinals as top seed in their bracket in the volleyball event of the 2010 University Games yesterday at Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

The CESAFI men's grandslam champion USJ-R of legendary coach Grace Anti-gua overcame a second-set drawback to grapple down La Salle College of St. Benilde in four sets.

Jacked up by the lightning attacks of Jesriel Pino, Leoniel Sanchez, Ken Bhoyd Abunda, Loujei Tipgos, Kevin Sanchez, Jayvelle Rojas and Jason Uy, the Josenians eas-ily took the first set, 25-15.

However, St. Benilde answered back with a hard-earned 25-22 victory in the sec-ond set.

Learning from their mistakes, the Spiking Jaguars did not give St. Benilde any breathing room in the next two frames, 25-17, 25-19 to march into the semis undefeated.

"Their performance is getting better as the competition continues. Now that we made it to the quarterfinals, I encouraged my players to give their best shot in each of our games so that we could have a better end this year," said Antigua.

USJ-R will face next the winner of the match between the University of the Phil-ippines and the University of St. La Salle Bacolod for a spot in the semifinal round. (FREEMAN)