UV, USPF top CESAFI beach volley

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) and University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) bagged championship titles in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) beach volley tournament yesterday at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan.        

The powerful duo of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria of UV survived a grueling championship match over the equally-tough USPF tandem of Edward Ybañez and Ryan AbutF, 21-17, 21-14, to claim the men’s title.

“We were not expecting that we will be able to destroy the defense of USPF but our key to our victory was the trust that we have with my partner. Ako siya giingnan nga duwa lang gyud ta since this is his first time and motivated him to do our very best to win,” said Becaldo.

In the battle for third place, Kevin Casia and Jason Uy of the University of San Jose-Recoletos thrashed Jeffrey Catacutan and Giovanni Gutierrez of the University of Cebu, 21-15, 21-15.

In the distaff side, USPF's Erika Camille Verano and Apple Eve Saraum made up from the loss of their men's counterpart by beating the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

The former Nestea Beach Volley national champs reigned supreme over Mona Karla Dubduban and Sharry Mae Sereno in a best-of-three series since they were the only participants in the women’s bracket.

“Though we don’t have enough practice but our experience as partners was really of great help since we already know what to do and we already have this team work,” said Verano.

“Hopefully, when we will be in the national level, we could bring back pride and honor to Cebu, but we will not be complacent since we don’t have enough time to practice knowing that our opponents are already prepared in the national competition,” Verano added.

The Verano-Saraum tandem swept USJ-R, 21-9, 21-12, and 21-5, 21-10.

Verano and Saraum will be sent to Manila for the national league on March 23-24. They will take on bets from the University of the East, Rizal Technological University and Eulogio Rodriguez College.

The winners in the national level will be sent to China for the Asian University Beach Volley competition.

CESAFI commissioner Felix “Boy” O. Tiukinhoy, Jr. said the beach volley tournament was agreed by the coaches and some athletic directors last March 7 during their meeting and was approved by the Cesafi board.

“We had a meeting with the coaches and some athletic directors to address the invitation for women’s beach volley tournament with winners to be sent to Manila for the elimination phase for the Asian University Beach Volley Tournament in China,” said Tiukinhoy. (FREEMAN)