CESAFI Men's Volleyball: Warriors reign

What the University of San Carlos Warriors missed in basketball, they got in volleyball as they stunned defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars to win the men's title of the Cebu Athletic School Foundation Inc. (CESAFI)-volleyball tournament at their own turf last night.

And big credits goes to Roderick Arenasa for showing great determination and splendid performance to end their school's title drought after 10 long years.

The Warriors prevented the Jaguars from making a double victory again this year after ending the championship battle in the fourth set with a 3-1 standing.

After yielding the first set to the Jaguars, 23-25, the Warriors put-up a better fight in the second with Arenasa leading the charge, igniting it with an 8-0 run coming off with five consecutive serves unstopped along with one from Ruel Lato and a net violation from USJ-R to take the lead, 13-9.

The Jaguars, on the other hand, tried harder with Ryan Mahilum and Arnel Yabao at the forefront, but after producing their 19th point, they collapsed and failed to stop Arenasa from his scoring spree as the Warriors took the second set, 25-19.

With 1-1 for both teams, the third set came to be very tough and rough for both squads, exchanging leads several times. With Arenasa vomiting due to an empty stomach, the other Warriors rallied to overcome a one point deficit, 22-23, to snatch the third frame, 25-23.

After the 11th deadlock in the fourth set, the Jaguars were leading 25-24 and coach Grace Antigua told her wards to make that "one point".

"Usa lang gyud, usa lang gyud," said Antigua. A point for USJ-R would mean a deciding fifth set.

However, Ken Abunda missed during his service.

But then, USC's Mark Pepito also failed to deliver the goods, giving USJ-R the advantage, 27-26.

In the ensuing play, Jesriel Pino missed to seal the game with his service error and it was followed by Mahilom's failure to block the leather that saw the game at 28-27 in favor of USC, which is coached by Eugene dela Cerna and assisted by Norvie Labuga, who is product of USJ-R.

The trio of Tecson, Lato and Arenasa at the front stopped USJ-R from making a point again paving their way to victory to the delight of the crown made up mostly of USC students and supporters including no less than Cebu Volleyball Association president, Glenn Soco and Hall of Famer Marilou Jao-Ramirez, both standout volleyball players from USC.

"Pag-third set, nagsuka-suka na gyud ko tungod sa kagutom. Wa koy pani-udto. Pamahaw sa canteen diri pagka alas otso pa man siguro to. I was preparing hard for this, unya kay dugay man diay nakasugod ang among duwa, mao to. May na lang kay nakasugakod pa ko," the 19 year-old Arenasa.

Arenasa, the lone player from USC picked up by USJ-R during the PRISAA National Games early this year in Pangasinan also won the well deserved Most Valuable Player award.

The BSBA student, Arenasa could also enjoy a sumptuous dinner last night with its athletic director, Fr. Vicente Uy giving him an undisclosed amount from the latter's own pocket as his initial incentive from him.

Adding glitter to USC is also its female counterparts for claiming the third place honors against Southwestern University, 26-24, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23.

The University of the Visayas Lancers, for their part, grabbed the bronze medal against the University Of Southern Philippines-Foundation, 25-23,19-25,25-23,25-13,15-11.

The Jaguars though, still had something to celebrate about, with its women's squad posting a back-to-back victory after a hard-earned five set victory over the University of Southern Philippines-Foundation.

USJ-R, led by the pretty Michelle Simbajon, posted a 15-25, 25-22, 23-25, 25-17, 15-13 win against the Lady Panthers.

Although Simbajon had a remarkable performance in the final game, it was teammate Genie Sabas, who got the MVP honors.