USC SWEEPS SWU FOR CESAFI BOYS VOLLEYBALL TITLE

After falling short last year, the University of San Carlos (USC) finally bagged the boys’ division crown of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) volleyball tournament with a two game sweep of Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma, 25-15, 21-25, 25-17, 28-26, yesterday at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Gym.

USC was off to a hot start with a lopsided first set, 25-15, anchored offensively by Kenrry Malinis and John Paul Luman, who destroyed SWU-Phinma’s defense.

USC continued where it left off and once again started strong in the second set. But SWU rallied in the middle of the set to steal it from USC, 25-21.

USC regained its composure and pull away late in the third set to take it 25-17.

The fourth set was as close as the previous one with SWU refusing to give up. With a service error by John Rey Sanico, SWU saw themselves up ahead 25-24. But Malinis tied it 25-25 with a powerful spike. Joshua Cedro got SWU the lead again, 26-25, with a spike that bounced off a defender. SWU handed USC a point with a service error to tie the match at 26-26. Vincent Lauron had a service ace to give USC the lead and then Gwyndharell Guy wisely tipped the ball in for the winning point.

“They were very determined. They really wanted to win as revenge for the previous matches,” said USC assistant coach Jessie Yongco. “They lacked practice but their hard work paid off.” USC fell short last year, losing to USPF in the finals. It was USC’s first championship after two years.

“Our weakness in our previous matches was that when we were up we tend to relax,” said Yongco on USC’s second set performance. “But they really did their best. They really wanted to win. Their communication was great and they wanted to end it there.”

Meanwhile, USPF forced a door-die match with SWU after a three set sweep in Game 2 of the Girls’ division.

USPF won all three sets 25-23, 25-14 and 25-20.

Meanwhile, SWU and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) won the first set of semifinal matches in the Women’s division.

SWU beat USPF 25-21, 25-22 and 26-24. USJ-R, on the other hand, defeated USC 25-21, 25-20, 24-26 and 25-23.

SUNSTAR FOTO / ARNI ACLAO DEFENSIVE HOLE. SWU defenders fail to block a spike by Kenrry Malinis of USC. Malinis was one of the major players who helped USC get back into to the Cesafi throne after two years.