USC, USJ-R start hot in CESAFI v'ball

CEBU – The University of San Sarlos (USC), bidding for a rare grandslam feat in the men’s division, and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), seeking for a record four straight championship in the distaff side, opened their campaigns in sterling fashion at the start of the 2008 Cebu School Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball event yesteday at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gym.

 The Norvie Labuga coached-USC trounced the Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) in straight sets, 25-8, 25-15, 28-26 to claim its second victory.

During the first set, USC did not allow CIT to register a double-digit score behind the powerful attacks spearheaded by two-time CESAFI MVP Roderick Arenasa, Kennith Bensig, and Dexter Tuazon.

In the second set, Labuga decided to expose his second stringers, allowing CIT to at least put up a good fight and even took a 24-19 lead.

But Labuga quickly tapped back his star players and it produced positive effect as the Spriking Warriors escaped with a 28-26 victory.

The likes of Jerome Maestre, Bonvie Estrera, Jeroel Aragones, Elizor Uy, Jonrey Suico, Harvey Bernil and Axiel Klaassen also keyed USC’s triumph.

It was, however, not all jubilation for the Carolinians as their women’s squad were clobbered by the USJ-R belles of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer Coach Grace Antigua, 25-11, 25-14, 25-14.

Former RP Youth members Genie Sabas and Michelle Simbajon bannered USJ-R’s sizzling offensive with the support of Cristy Aina Laroga, Sarah Miculob, Joy Bonita, Avegale Getuaban and Rachel Hannah Singson, who is a former member of the USC Lady Warriors basketball team.

“Dili lang gyud mi mokumpiyansa. The girls this time have their respective weak points that should be straightened so that we will be more competitive in our next fights,” said Antigua in assessing her team’s performance.

It was a twinkill for USJ-R as its men’s counterpart drubbed the tough-fighting University of the Visayas (UV) in a very thrilling encounter. UV stole the first set, 30-28, but that was the best it could muster as USJ-R swept the succeeding three sets, 25-16, 26-24, 25-19 for the come-from-behind win.

In the other men’s showdown, the University of Cebu (UC) dismantled Cebu Doctors’ University, 25-16, 25-10, 25-17. CDU’s women’s crew was also demolished by Southwestern University (SWU) of coach Janeth Ponte, 25-13, 26-15, 25-16

Danika Gendrauli, Lorie Mae Layno, Ma. Luelyn Paciño and Elizabeth Emnace powered SWU to a clean 2-0 card. - THE FREEMAN