USJ-R fends off UC in CESAFI Volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Defending men’s champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) got off to a flying start but had to pass through a four-set thriller before fending off the University of Cebu (UC) yesterday at the start of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum.

USJ-R of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua made an impressive start as they took the first two sets in dominating fashion, 25-11, 25-18, courtesy of CHED National Games MVP and best blocker, Jesriel Pino alongside Ken Bhoyd Abunda, Loujei Tipgos, Kevin Casia, its new team captain, Leoniel Sanchez and neophyte setter Jayvelle Rojas.

However, USJ-R seemed to be complacent in the third set, allowing UC to bounce back via a close 25-22 decision behind the efforts of Louie Espina, Juve Marapo, Mamerto Tañola, Jeffrey Catacutan and Reynante Reyes.

Seemingly surprised by the setback, USJ-R did not allow UC to score a set again as the Spiking Jaguars started the fourth canto with a 9-0 run, which they parlayed into a masterful 25-11 win.

“So far, we still need to have more practice since the first six are all senior players except for my setter (Rojas) who is still new and he doesn’t have the needed confidence when playing. We still have to work more on our set plays so that in our next games we will do better,” said Antigua.

In the other match, the University of San Carlos (USC) of coach Norvie Labuga thrashed the Cebu Doctors’ University in straight sets, 25-7, 25-8, 25-11.

The likes of Harvey Bernil, Bonvie Estrera, Dennis Sepulveda, Ryan Mark Abut, Robert Mendez and Ryan Fuentes powered USC to victory.

USC’s holdovers from last year’s roster in Kennith Bensig, Jerone Maestre and Earven Gallegos will not play this season due to personal matters.

The games resume today with women’s action in the morning featuring Southwestern University against CDU, UC opposite USC and the University of the Visayas versus the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

In the afternoon, USPF tackles CDU, UC faces UV, while USJ-R clashes with the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U). (FREEMAN)