USC and USJ-R spikers, USPF belles stay unbeaten in CESAFI beach volley

CEBU – Defending champion University of San Carlos (USC) and strong title contender University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) coasted to their third straight victories to share the lead in the men’s bracket of the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Beach Volley tournament yesterday at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan, Cebu.

The Eugene de la Cerna mentored-USC of Roderick Arenasa and birthday celebrator Kennith Bensig trounced the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) tandem of Edward Ybañez and James Ryan Abut in straight sets, 21-10, 21-19.

USC sustained its sizzling run to whip the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) duo of Edison Lim and George Tampon, 21-10, 21-6.

USJ-R of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua likewise proved to be a tough team to beat after silencing the powerful University of the Visayas, 21-15, 21-20.

Prior to that, the formidable USJ-R combination of Ariel Carumba and Louijie Tipgos, sponsored by Ave Maria Sanctuary and Park walloped University of Cebu’s Spencer Abejo and Paolo Cabase, 21-14, 21-13.

It’s a double whammy for UC as it also feel prey to USPF, 19-21, 10-21.

Next Saturday, USC will take on USJ-R in a heavyweight clash of the undefeated squads to determine the elimination round topnotcher.

In the distaff side, the powerful University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) manned by Ericka Camille Verano and Harlene Ybarita of USPF rolled on to its fifth straight win in as many starts.

USPF whacked Southwestern University (SWU) in three sets, 20-21, 21-14, 15-9 and then subdued USC, 21-20, 21-14, the other day.

Yesterday, USPF of coach Jordan Paca claimed two more victims in UV’s Ivy Abella and Noriena Castro, 21-11, 21-8 and UC’s Blanca Anguis and Sheila Marie Padayogdog.

Breathing down USPF’s neck is the Janeth Ponte-coached SWU pair of Danika Gendrauli and Lorie Mae Layno with a 4-1 win-loss record.

USPF stunned defending champion USJ-R of Joy Bonita and Rachelle Hannah Singson, 21-13, 21-9, and demolished CDU of Linette Auza and Niña Perez, 21-17, 21-13.

USC of Jerymie Montalvo and Chona Gesulga brightened up its chances of barging into the semis with convincing victories over USJ-R, 21-18, 21-10 and CDU, 21-12, 21-11. – Marigold P. Lebumfacil (THE FREEMAN)