CIT-U stretches USJ-R in CESAFI volleynetfest

CEBU, Philippines - This could be the season for Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wild Cats coming out party.

The team fell short against defending champion University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars at the start of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) volleyball tournament yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum, but proved they are a force to reckon with.

The Arnel Loon-mentored Wild Cats surprised the volleyball crowd with their highly-improved performance that stretched the Spiking Jaguars to five sets.

Loon said that the summer training helped improved the performance of his team.

“Before we are tagged as underdogs, but now at least these players of mine can now walk with their heads up after that game. It’s already a morale-booster to us that we almost defeated the defending champions. It’s okay that we lost at least we were able to give USJ-R a good fight,” said Loon.

Former USJ-R stalwart Jonrey Sasing was also impressed by CIT’s improved performance. “Win or lose, the fact that they were able to take on two sets against USJ-R, it’s already a big achievement for CIT-U.”

The gritty Wild Cats were off to a rousing start as they took the first two sets, 25-20, 25-20, behind the witty attacks and strong defense of Jehu Lumantas, Gil Martin Berame, Jerrold Montejo, Darel Mangolare and Steve Joseph Basilio.

With a never-say-die attitude, the Spiking Jaguars of coach Grace Antigua came raging in the third set, 25-18 and sustained the momentum up to the fourth canto with 25-16, to forge a rubber match.

The deciding set saw a see-saw battle between the two camps, but when the score reached at 6-all, the Jaguars made a 4-0 run to make the 10-6 advantage.

The Wild Cats came back to tie the count at 10-all then it was tied at 11-all before USJ-R pulled away 14-11.

The final tally was eventually 15-12.

Jason Uy, James Kelvin Lawas, Jade Illut, Jaylevelle Rojas and freshmen, Jerson Owin Belen and Mark Joseph Rocamora, also contributed to USJ-R’s triumph.

Antigua, on the other hand, said that her players need some more adjustments in their team work.

“Ang mga karaan nagpadala man hinoon sa mga bag-o. Mahadlok pa gyud sila, knowing for the fact that most of my players now are first years. I’m just hoping that in our next games, maayo na ilang blending,” she said.

Unlike USJ-R, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Panthers and the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors had easy assignments as they managed to fend of their respective opponents in straight sets.

USPF overpowered the University of Cebu (UC), 25-10, 25-17, 25-13, courtesy of Edward Ybanez, Johnry Opone, Shane Cardoza and Nino Ymbong.

The USC Warriors, on the other hand, outclassed Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU), 25-8, 25-10, 25-10, behind the attacks of Kennith Bensig, Bonvie Estrera, Dennis Sepulveda, Harvey Bernil, and Jerone Maestre.

Meanwhile, in the secondary division, the USPF Baby Panthers and USJ-R Baby Jaguars duplicated their senior counterpart’s victory.

USPF silenced USC, 25-17, 25-9 while USJ-R won via default against CIT-U.

On-going CESAFI volleyball actions resume today with the girls and women’s division.

The morning games feature the secondary division with Southwestern University against USC, USJ-R against CIT-U and USPF against UC.

In the afternoon, USC faces UC, followed by the back-to-back champions, SWU against CDU and the fight between USPF versus USJ-R. (FREEMAN)