CEBU, Philippines – The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) overcame an opening set debacle to finish off the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in four sets, 17-25, 25-21, 25-14, 25-12 in the deciding match of their best-of-three finals to seal a rare grandslam feat in secondary girls volleyball event of the 19th Cebu Schools Athletic Federation, Inc. (CESAFI) season last Monday night at SWU-Phinma’s Aznar Coliseum.
USPF went through the same situation in taking the series opener, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-14.
Facing no tomorrow, USJ-R bounce back with finesse in the second set, 28-26, 23-25, 25-18,25-17 to forge a sudden-death duel.
“Kumpyansa kaayo pag Game 2. Lahi kaayo ilang duwa. Dili mao ang among gipraktisan,” recalled USPF coach Yolanda Rizarri.
But instead of giving her wards a mouthful, coach Rizarri just reminded them of their ultimate goal, a three-peat.
True enough, their Game 2 loss turned out to be a good wake up call for the Spiking Panthers.
They may have floundered in the first set but the USPF belles were decisive enough in crushing USJ-R in the next three frames.
The highlight of their come-from-behind triumph was in the fourth set when they rattled USJ-R with their fierce opening assault, 11-1, behind the leadership of Mitzi Panangin, who went on to claim the MVP trophy.
USJ-R tried to keep the game alive as Villa Anne Perales served five straight times but there’s no stopping USPF from accomplishing a golden treble. A powerful spike by Lyn Ross Densing wrapped up USPF’s shining moment.
‘This year’s victory is definitely sweeter with all that we went through in the finals. Murag diesel ning mga bataa. Dugay muinit pero at least they delivered. I dedicate this win to our school for all the support, to the parents and of course to the players, sa ilang pagpaningkamot,” said Rizarri.
Aside from the MVP award, Panangin was also named as the first middle blocker while her teammates Gloria Mates, Tracy Cortes and Vanessa Minoza emerged as the best libero, best opposite spiker, and best setter, respectively.
Completing the roster of the USPF champion team are Tes Gloria, Mary Anthoneth Cortes, Heddy Thea Alipio, Dya Hanica Mejos, Liane Minoza, Ressel Pedroza, Moncha Mae Pacinio, Khylem Harl Progella, Monifah Nielsen Pal-ing, and Alexandra Adolfo.
Meanwhile, the other individual honorees were USJ-R’s Cherie Tagaod (second middle blocker) and Louneth Marie Abangan (second best outside spiker), and SHS-AdC’s Jennifer Louise De Los Santos (first best outside spiker).