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USJ-R, SWU just one step from defending men’s, women’s titles in Cesafi beach volleyball
THE University of San Jose-Recoletos men’s beach volleyball squad earned a ticket back to the finals for another chance to defend their crown in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) beach volleyball tournament after beating rival Southwestern University (SWU) in two sets yesterday at the Aznar Coliseum beach volleyball court.
USJ-R, composed of Alastair Gairanod, Kent Verbosidad and RA Tecson, squeaked past SWU in the first set, 24-22, 21-18.
The second set was also very competitive with both teams neck-and-neck late in the game.
USJ-R was a point away from winning the match with a crucial block by Gairanod, 20-17. SWU answered with a spike by Mark Petancio. But Verbosidad scored the winning point with a spike of his own.
The University of the Visayas (UV) got the other finals slot after beating the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 21-15, 21-16.
Women’s division
Defending champions SWU will face off with University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) in the Women’s division finals.
SWU earned a ticket to defend its crown after totally outclassing USPF, 21-13, 13-8.
USJ-R also thrashed the University of Cebu (UC), 21-7, 21-7.
In the boys division, the University of San Carlos (USC) and University of Cebu (UC) advanced to the championships after come-from-behind semifinal victories.
USC dropped its first set to USJ-R, 1721, before winning two in a row, 21-13 and 15-9. UC also lost its first set to USPF, 17-21, before winning it, 23-21 and 15-12.
SWU and USPF square off in the Girls division finals after easy semi-final wins.
SWU destroyed UC – 21-10 and 21-13. USPF beat USC – 21-14 and 21-16.
All championship matches are played in the afternoon today still at the beach volleyball court of the Aznar Coliseum.