USJ-R completes three-peat SWU retains women's crown in CESAFI volleyball

CEBU, Philippines - Drawing strength from their elimination round heartbreak, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars completed a rare grandslam feat in the men's division, while the Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras retained their women's crown in the 2010 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym.

The Spiking Jaguars of legendary coach Grace Antigua broke down in the third set after sweeping the first two frames, but came out firing in the fourth set to get even with the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), the team that dealt them their lone defeat in the month-long competition.

On top of the grandslam accomplishment, it was truly a memorable triumph for USJ-R as it serves as a fitting send-off to six of its stalwarts in skipper Leonil Sanchez, Loujei Tipgos, Jesriel Pino, Ken Boyd Abunda, Jade Dionson, and Jan Manalili, whose playing years are now over in the region's premiere athletic league.

And who could be more happier than the birthday boy Manalili and Sanchez, who will be graduating late this month.

"It was really an unforgettable victory for us because this is our last playing year and we were able to fulfill our aim to end our stint with a three-peat," said an obviously ecstatic Sanchez.

The Spiking Jaguars immediately jumped the gun on USPF right after the opening buzzer to snatch the first set in convincing fashion, 25-16.

The Josenians found the Spiking Panthers a tough costumer to handle in the second set. They sprinted to a 21-14 lead, but USPF unfurled a 6-0 spurt to pull within a hairline, 20-21. USPF threatened at 23-24 but its chances for forging a slide as Marlon Luces committed a service error to the delight of the USJ-R side.

In the third set, the two protagonists engaged in a see-saw battle, but USJ-R enjoyed its last taste of lead at 22-21 as Edward Ybañez scored on a 3-0 blitz to push USPF ahead by two 24-22. USJ-R's James Lawas planted a powerful kill to make it 23-24, but his teammate Sanchez made a service blunder to give USPF a lifeline.

Learning from their mistakes, the Spiking Jaguars made the necessary adjusments to take full control in the fourth set. They raced to a blistering 13-5 start before eventually knocking out USPF, 25-17.

"Our blocking and defense worked out well. It was team effort that leads us to victory. Although some of my players are just in their rookie years, they have already shown this early that killer instinct the Jaguars are known for," said Antigua.

In the one-sided women's division championship, the Lady Cobras of coach Jordan Paca proved to classy and powerful in sweeping USPF, 3-0.

After their 25-15 rout in the opening set, it seemed that the weighing scale of victory already tilted in favor of SWU.

True enough, the Lady Cobras hammered another dominating 25-11 win before finally snuffing the air out of USPF's nose, 25-16.

"Having been a coach of USPF is my advantage. I already knew beforehand how to counter their (USPF) attacks and let my players pounce on their weak side," said Paca, who mentored the same USPF squad that lost to SWU in last year's final.

Among those who starred for SWU's back-to-back crowning glory were Lorie Mae Layno, Mary Luilyn Pacinio, Raphril Aguilar, Danika Gendrauli, Danalie Baquiro, Fritzie Aligway and newcomer Princess Ann Pido.

 "We dedicate this victory to our graduating players in Pacinio and Baquiro. During their first three years with us, they were just behind the shadows of our star players and now this is their moment," said SWU athletic director Ryan Aznar.

In the equally-exciting battle for third place, the University of the Visayas (UV) defeated USC in five sets, 26-24, 15-25, 25-14, 20-25, 15-12 in the men's division, while USC prevailed over USJ-R in four sets, 25-18, 23-25, 25-19, 25-22 in the women's bracket. (THE FREEMAN)