Spiking Jaguars advance to semis in Unigames

CEBU, Philippines - The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars moved one step closer to the men’s championship title as they booked a semifinal ticket after trouncing the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in their exciting quarterfinal battle in the University Games yesterday at the Silliman University in Dumaguete City.

Being the only Cebuano squad which made it to the quarterfinals, USJ-R of legendary coach Grace Antigua did not disappoint the Bisdaks, which failed in their campaign as they stayed unbeaten, to earn a semifinal seat in the penultimate round of the men’s volleyball competition.

But before they were able to taste the sweetness of their quarterfinal victory, they had to pass through a nerve-wracking four-set thriller.

USJ-R made a surprising start as they dominated the first, 25-18, behind the powerful attacks of Jesriel Pino, Ken Bhoyd Abunda, Loujei Tipgos, Leoniel Sanchez, Kevin Casia, Jayvelle Rojas and Jason Uy.

However, a sudden change of momentum happened in the second canto where a see-saw battle ensued before USLS-Bacolod could pull past the Jaguars after three slides, 28-26.

It was as exciting in the third set, but the Jaguars took that one after a slide, 26-24.

With the Spiking Jaguars a set away from the win, the seemingly discouraged and tired USLS-Bacolod could not find its form allowing the Cebuanos to score a 25-14 set win and the match.

“Our opponents this year were really tough and we just met them this year in the Unigames. I was just very glad that despite the setbacks that we encounter in each of our matches, my players really have the determination and the fighting spirit of a jaguar because they never easily give up and as long as they can, they really strived hard to survive at the end,” said Antigua.

In the semifinals today, USJ-R is expected to have another tough match against its first elimination round assignment, Foundation University (FU).

The winner of this match will fight against the winner between Far Eastern University (FEU) and the defending champion, University of Sto. Tomas (UST).

If USJ-R will be fortunate to advance it hopes to have a championship rematch against UST.

Meanwhile, in the other elimination round matches, the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors scored a victory over St. Paul University (SPU), 25-9, 25-10, 25-5 while the Lady Warriors were not that lucky but were happy enough to win a single set over the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Tigresses, 25-20, 24-26, 25-13, 25-18.

The Cesafi women’s back-to-back champions, Southwestern University (SWU) fended off Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro in dominating fashion, 25-5, 25-12, 25-8.

However, the three Cebu squads were not that lucky to enter into the quarterfinals since they ranked third in their respective brackets and only the top two squads earned the right to proceed to next level.

Interestingly, the inaugural beach volley men’s champion, Edward Ybañez and Jonrey Opone will start their campaign in claiming back-to-back titles today.

The contenders in the distaff side are Apple Eve Saraum and Dianne Navaja of USPF and Danika Yolanda Gendrauli and Lorie May Layno of SWU. (THE FREEMAN)