SWU, USC start hot in CESAFI volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Back-to-back champion Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras and their younger counterparts thrashed their respective opponents at the start of the women’s action of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.

SWU of coach Jordan Paca had a dominating performance in the first set over Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) Lady Stallions, 25-15, courtesy of Raphril Aguilar, Lorie May Layno, Fritzie Aligway, Danika Gendrauli, Princess Anne Pido and the six-footer from Dumanjug, Marlyn Llagoso.

However, the Fr. Rey T. Manayon-mentored CDU surprised the Lady Cobras in the second frame after they took control in the early goings 16-12, behind the witty attacks of Athena Sucalit, Catherin Marquez and Marjorie Coloscos.

But Aguilar’s prowess was felt when she staged a 3-0 run to shorten the lead at 15-16. CDU was on top for the last time, 20-18, as the triumvirate of Gendrauli, Pido and Aguilar enabled SWU to grab the driver's seat , 21-20, for good. SWU eventually wrapped up the match, 25-23.

The University of San Carlos (USC) Lady Warriors, on the other hand, joined the winners’ circle after fending off the University of Cebu (UC) Lady Webmasters, 25-14, 25-17, 25-15, thanks to the smart plays of Methosheena Bate, Nina Irish Cortes, Chona Gesulga, Suzette Panis and Akemi Aono.

In the secondary division, the comebacking SWU girls team went through a three-set thriller before thumping USC, 15-25, 25-20, 25-22.

In the other matches, USPF trounced UC, 25-19, 25-18 while USJ-R won over Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) via default. (FREEMAN)