CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Carlos (USC) survived a five-set thriller against the equally-tough University of San Jose-Recoletos in the women's division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball event at the jampacked University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gym.
USC of rookie coach Roderick Arenasa took almost four hours before pinning down the three-time champion USJ-R.
USC took the opening set, 25-18, behind the powerful attacks and solid defense of Methosheena Bate and Maggie Montejo, but USJ-R of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua drew good plays from Ma. Abigail Praca along with Mary Joy Bonita, Princess Canda and Rachel Hanna Singson to bounce back in the second set, 25-15.
The two protagonists figured in a closely-knit encounter in the third set, with the USJ-R belles prevailing by the skin of their teeth, 27-25.
The Carolinians gave all what they've in the fourth set. Their efforts and resilience paid off as they held off the Josenians, 25-21, to forge a sudden-death match.
In the decider, USC enjoyed an early 7-2 lead, but USJ-R countered with a 9-2 blast to wrest the driver's seat, 11-9. USC replied with three straight points to regain control, 12-11, for good.
The rest who contributed to USC's hard-earned triumph were Jerymie Montalvo, Niña Irish Cortes, Rachel Cumba and Chona Gesulga.
“I just realized that being a coach is much more hard than a player. It’s been my first time to coach and working with my players. I’m glad that the girls really strive hard to win knowing that they’re facing tough opposition against USJ-R,” said Arenasa.
Antigua, for her part, said: “My players still lack proper mind-setting and they still don’t have enough ideas on the different strategies they should muster during the game. Sayang lang gyud kaayo, they had a chance but they were not able to grab it.”
It was a twinkill for USC as its men's squad rolled to its second straight win at the expense of USPF, 25-22, 13-25, 25-23, 25-19.
The USJ-R spikers made up from their women's comrades by trouncing the University of the Visayas in straight sets, 25-15, 25-16, 25-17.
In the other match, University of Cebu finally barged into the win column after thumping the Cebu Institute of Technology, 25-23, 25-17, 23-25, 25-13. - THE FREEMAN