Hiroshi, USJ-R share honors

Team Hiroshi/Yuuki and the Sunsport-sponsored University of San-Jose Recoletos split their pair of championship showdown in the 2005 Cebu Volleyball Bench Open last Sunday at the University of San Carlos gym.

Hiroshi first drew blood by overwhelming the USJ-R belles to romp away with the women's title. However, the USJ-R Spiking Jaguars lashed back by whipping Hiroshi/Yuuki to rule the men's division.

Powered by Nestea Beach Volleyball three-time champion Florian Guttierez and Marites Natad, Hiroshi stunned the reigning CESAFI women's champion USJ-R in straight sets, 25-21, 25-17, 25-19.

Hazel Manatad of Hiroshi copped the MVP and best spiker honor, while Gutierez was named as the best server. USJ-R's Gwendolyn Gultang received the best libero, while Osaka's Janet Ponte was crowned as the best tosser.

On the other hand, USJ-R's men's team snatched its title of the year after claiming its fourth consecutive CESAFI title.

Buoyed by the presence of its former players and ex-Asian Volleyball campaigner Benjie Tomales, the threesome of Norvie Labuga, Michael Simbajon and Jonrey 'Air' Sasing vaulted USJ-R to a four-set triumph over Hiroshi.

USJ-R of coach Grace Antigue took the first set, 25-13, but Yuuki battled hard for the equalizer, 25-23.

That was Hiroshi's last stand though as USJ-R swept the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-20, to claim the P25,000 champion's purse.

Aside from the best spiker award, Sasing also bagged the coveted MVP trophy, Tomales was named best blocker, while playing assistant coach Labuga was named the best tosser.

Yuuki, on the other hand, received P15,000 as John Abas and Rey Acojedo claimed the best libero and server citations, respectively.

In the battle for third place, the University of Southern Philippines, also supported by Hiroshi, toppled Lilo-an 22-25, 25-21, 25-18, 21-25, 22-20 in the men's division, while Osaka prevailed over Mandaue City in the distaff side.