USJ-R belles subdue USC; SWU survives USPF scare

CEBU, Philippines – The University of San Jose-Recoletos overcame an opening set debacle to outclass the University of San Carlos in a four-setter and take the temporary lead in women's volleyball event of the 2015 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. season yesterday at the USJ-R Basak Campus gym.

After dropping a 20-25 decision in the first set, the Spiking Jaguars of coach Grace Antigua bounced back with savvy resulting to a lopsided 25-13 win in the second set.

USJ-R again won the third set by the skin of its teeth, 28-26, then sustained its momentum to finish off the Warriors in the fourth frame in decisive manner, 25-11.

The Spiking Jaguars, thus, took the solo leadership with a clean 2-0 slate. They kicked off their campaign with a resounding victory over the Cebu Doctors' University.

In the other women's play, defending champion Southwestern University waded through rough waters before fending off the  gritty University of Southern Philippines Foundation in a five-set thriller, 25-22, 22-25, 25-10, 23-25, 15-10.

In the secondary division, the SWU girls virtually assured themselves of a semifinal spot after collecting their fourth win in five games at the expense of USPF, 25-19, 25-11.

The semifinal round in all divisions will follow a round robin format, while the finals will be a best-of-three series. (FREEMAN)