WHO RULED THE SAND COURTS?
It took time but just as it turned dark, the semifinalists of the boys division of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) were finally determined yesterday at the Fort San Pedro sand court.
Officials needed time to deliberate after three teams figured in a three-way tie— the Southwestern University (SWU), University of San Carlos (USC), and University of Cebu (UC). At the end of the elimination, the teams had identical 6-1 win-loss records. The ranking for the Top 3 were determined through a quotient system. The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) finished fourth with a 4-3 card.
Defending boys division champion UC placed third in the ranking and Rheyn Sillos, a holdover of last year’s champion team, was starting to feel the jitters.
“I am the only player left from last year’s champion team. I pray we will get past the semifinals and get a chance to defend our title. The competition is very close this year. There are a lot of strong teams,” said Sillos, who is joined by Axel Abatayo and Clint Recto in the team.
UC defeated USC, USPF, Don Bosco, Cebu Institute of Technology and the University of San Jose-Recoletos in the elimination and lost to SWU.
Meanwhile, lurking on the sides is USPF, which snagged the fourth spot after beating Don Bosco in three sets, 21-16, 21-23, 15-4.
USPF hopes to surprise everyone this year in beach volleyball since the school just recently opened its beach volleyball court inside the campus.
“I hope having the court will help us with our preparation for the semis,” said Earl Cansico, who added that it will be easier for them to train now that the court is just inside the USPF compound.
“We will have less stress in going to and from the only sand court in the city. We don’t have to wait for our turn.” /