USPF rolls into Nestea semis

CEBU, Philippines - Defending champions, University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), experienced contrasting fate as USPF belles kept their title retention bid hopes alive as they advance to the penultimate battle of the 14th Nestea Fit Beach Volley-“Battle of the Champions” today at the pristine beaches of Boracay Island, while the USJ-R faltered.

The country’s beach volley queens, Erika Camille Verano and Apple Eve Saraum of USPF, booked a semifinal ticket after finishing their final assignments yesterday.

         However, the duo of Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos of USJ-R, failed to defend the men’s title this year. But the USPF tandem of Edward Ybañez and Emmanuel Marlon Luces has brighter chances to banner the Queen City of the South to the limelight.

USPF of coach Thelma Datig had to pass through a three-set decision before overpowering CHED National Games champions, Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario of the University of Mindanao (UM)-Tagum, 16-21, 21-14, 15-13.

During the quarterfinals, the Verano-Saraum tandem outclassed NCAA-South champion, Philippines Christian University (PCU)-Dasmariñas, in dominating fashion, 21-12, 21-11.

“Their (Verano and Saraum) performance were improving as what I can see in their games today (yesterday). They were already able to adjust to the depth of the beach sands and the extreme heat of the sun. Another factor was that their teamwork already worked out,” said Datig.

Datig said that she’s been motivating her players to aim high in order to defend their title, stressing that Saraum has the fighting spirit while Verano has the veteran’s skills.

“I just advised them to do their best and condition their physical, mental and emotional strengths. They need to have a game plan and focus to strive hard in a do-or-die match tomorrow (today),” she said.

USPF will tackle the UAAP champs and last year’s rival for the crown, Adamson University, in the much-awaited semi finals berth this morning followed by the clash between Central Philippines University (CPU) and UM-Tagum.

In the men’s bracket, Carumba and Tipgos stumbled in their campaign for a back-to-back title after they suffered an unexpected defeat to the towering UAAP champions, Jason Ramos and Henry Campaña of University of Sto. Tomas (UST), in the quarterfinals.

USJ-R of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua fended off UST, 21-17, 21-18, during the elimination phase. However, the two squads once again met in the quarterfinals, which saw UST bounce back with a 21-18, 21-19 victory.

“They had a great performance during their first clash, but I guess they (Carumba and Tipgos) were already complacent when they met again in the quarterfinals. Though they showed sterling performances but the UST men were very aggressive and determined when they played, which was visible in their attacks and defense. It was an unlucky day for us,” said Antigua.

A touch of hope transpired as the inaugural University Games champions, Ybañez and Luces of USPF, would still try to place a Cebu team on the pedestal of the men’s class as they secured a semifinal seat.

USPF trounced Mahardika Institute of Technology (MIT) in a three-set thriller, 15-21, 21-18, 15-13, to advance in the next phase.

In the quarterfinals, the duo of Ybañez and Luces thrashed the University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna with grand fashion, 21-12, 21-5.

“We will try our best to give back pride and honor to Cebu. I hope that Luces and Ybañez will be in good playing condition tomorrow (today) so that they will give their opponents a good fight. Hopefully we could enter into the championship game,” said coach Cecil Jotojot.

USPF next faces UST while the other semifinal bout will have Mindanao State University (MSU)-Tawi-Tawi against the Foundation University (FU) in Dumaguete City.

The winners in the semifinals this morning will automatically advance to the championship matches this afternoon with the champions taking home P100,000 with medals and trophies.   (FREEMAN NEWS)