CEBU, Philippines - They maybe just elementary students but the Catmon belles showed some class against their high school rivals as they went through grueling three sets before falling prey to defending titlist University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) at the start of the 8th Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.
USPF drew first blood, 25-16, but the Catmon spikers, the Palarong Pambansa grandslam champion who made history as the first elementary team to join a major high school sporting event, fought back with finesse to win the second set, 16-25, thus, the rubbermatch.
The gritty Catmon players once again put up a gallant stand in the third set only to fall short of their target, losing to USPF by 25-20 decision.
The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), on the other hand, got off to a flying start , thrashing Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC)-Mandaue in straight sets with uniform scores of 25-15.
Completing the list of competing teams are Paref-Southcrest, University of San Carlos (USC), Abellana National School, Liloan National High School and Don Gerardo Ouano Memorial National High School.
The champion will represent the region to the Shakeys' G-League National Finals on April 4-9 at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in Bacolod City. (FREEMAN)