CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos Spiking Jaguars met contrasting fates in Game 1 of the best-of-three men's volleyball finals of the 13th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) season the other night at the USJ-R Basak Campus gym.
In the collegiate division, USJ-R battled through a five-set thriller against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (UPSF).
The Spiking Jaguars took the opening set, 25-20, but the Panthers charged back with finesse in the second frame, 25-21.
USJ-R then weathered a gallant stand by USPF to eke out a close 25-23 decision in the third set, but the Panthers breathe fire in a dominant fourth-set show, 25-15, to forge a rubbermatch.
In the decider, the Spiking Jaguars of coach Grace Antigua poured in all their energies left to finish off the obviously worn out Panthers, 15-10.
USJ-R's secondary counterparts, however, were not as lucky as they fumbled at the hends of the University of San Carlos (USC), 25-22, 25-22.
USC hopes to clinch the crown via sweep when it takes on USJ-R in Game 2 scheduled tonight at the Aznar Coliseum.
Before USC faces off with the defending champions, Don Bosco Technology Center (DBTC) will slug it out with USPF boys for the third place honors. (FREEMAN)