CEBU, Philippines – Defending men’s champion University of San Jose-Recoletos Spiking Jaguars lost in their last semifinal assignment, but were fortunate enough to advance into the final round against Southwestern University in collegiate volleyball event of the 2014 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum.
The Spiking Jaguars saw their two-game winning streak come to a sudden red stop at the hands of the University of San Carlos in a four-setter, 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-14.
USJ-R seemingly failed to handle pressure that paved the way for USC’s win.
SWU, opn the other hand, kicked out last year’s runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation in straight sets, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21.
USJ-R and SWU actually figured in a three-way tie with USC, but the Jaguars and the Cobras earned the right to clash for the gold medal by virtue of their superior tie-break output applying the quotient system under the International Volleyball Federation rules.
After computing the sets won and sets lost, SWU emerged on top of the rankings with 2.33 points followed by USJ-R with 1.75 points. USC got only 1.5 points.
USC, thus, has been relegated to a battle for third place against USPF next week.
In the secondary boys division, it's going to be the defending champion USC against USPF in the finals.
USC advanced to the championship stage after outlasting Don Bosco Technology Center, 25-14, 25-20, while USPF defeated semifinal leader USJ-R via a tough 27-25, 30-25 decision.
The best-of-three title series is scheduled on October 16. (FREEMAN)