CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas (UV) spikers stunned defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in a five-set thriller in the men's division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum.
The Spiking Jaguars of coach Grace Antigua actually got off to a rousing start, sweeping the first two sets 25-19, 25-20, behind the attacks of Kevin Casia, Chris Bautista, Jayson Uy, James Lawas, Jaylevelle Rojas, James Asingua and rookies Jerson Owin Belen and Mark Joseph Rocamora.
However, the gritty Lancers bounced back in the next two frames, 25-16, 25-17, to forge a rubbermatch.
Seemingly motivated by the bright chance of clinching victory, the Visayanians sustained their momentum to wrap up the match, 15-9.
It’s a double whammy for USJ-R as its female counterparts lost to the University of San Carlos (USC) Lady Warriors.
The Norvie Labuga-mentored Lady Warriors trounced USJ-R in straight sets, 25-15, 29-27, 25-15, courtesy of of Methosheena bate, Nina Irish Cortes, Chona Gesulga, Suzette Panis and Akemi Aono.
In the secondary division, USC and USJ-R secured thumped their respective assignments. USC pummeled CIT-U, 25-7, 25-13, while the USJ-R girls fended off Southwestern University (SWU), 25-17, 25-17. (FREEMAN)