USC’S JULIA GARCIA WINS MVP AWARD

Veteran-laden Cebu Province men’s team shows readiness for Philippine National Games as they overpowered the younger Southwestern University-Phinma for the men’s title of the Mayor’s Cup Volleyball Open In the women’s division, the younger University of San Carlos squad survived the PNG-bound Cebu Spikers Volleyball Club in five sets for the women’s title

Cebu Province put on a dominant performance and took home the Men’s Division crown of the Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Volleyball Open with a convincing three-set sweep over Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma iConnect yesterday in the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.

Unlike in the semifinals, Cebu Province looked more fluid in their offense, anchored on the playmaking skills of veteran setter Norvie Labuga, who was named the tournament’s MVP.

Alden Dave Cabaron and Mark John Pacquiao were Cebu Province’s main options in offense with their vicious attacks.

Cebu Province immediately took the first set, 25-18. The second set turned out to be much more lopsided with a 25-15 scoreline.

Cebu Province’s chemistry became better and better as each set went by and they finally swept SWU-Phinma with a powerful attack by Cabaron to win the third set, 25-14.

“I’m very happy that we won,” said Cebu Province head coach Grace Antigua. “We had a bit of chemistry already.”

Antigua believes that her players’ experience was the team’s key to victory against a young and athletic SWU-Phinma squad.

“We mixed it up. Most of our players have already graduated and are seasoned. There is a huge difference with experience. Experience is the best teacher,” said Antigua.

Cebu Province is competing in next week’s Philippine National Games against some of the best volleyball players in the country.

“We don’t know yet (about our competition). There are a lot of teams Manila can’t be taken lightly. Bacolod is also a tough team,” said Antigua.

On the other hand, USC took the Women’s Division crown with a five-set thriller against Cebu Spikers Volleyball Club.

USC took the first three sets2518 and 25-22. The Lady Warriors seemed to have lost its steam and dropped the the next two – 16-25 and 19-25.

USC found its second wind and took the final set, 15-10.

Julia Garcia was named the MVP.

University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) beat USC for third place in the Men’s Division with scores of 25-12, 25-15, 19-25 and 25-18.

Mandaue bagged third place honors in the Women’s Division with come-from-behind win over University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) with scores of 23-25, 25-14, 25-14 and 25-15./

Most of our players have already graduated and are seasoned players. There is a huge difference with experience. Experience is the best teacher. GRACE ANTIGUA Cebu Province head coach

SUNSTAR FOTO / RUEL ROSELLO CELEBRATE, OR NOT. The University of San Carlos players (behind net) celebrate their hard-earned victory over the Cebu Spikers Volleyball Club. USC had to endure five long sets before beating CSVC, which is set to take part in the Philippine National...

RUEL ROSELLO FOTO/ OUCH. A Cebu Province player hits a Southwestern University defender in this bit of action of the men’s final of the Mayor’s Cup Volleyball Open.SUNSTAR

SUNSTAR FOTO/RUEL ROSELLO BEST PLAYER. Julia Garcia of the University of San Carlos was named the Most Valuable Player in the women’s division of the Cebu City Mayors Cup Volleyball Open.

SUNSTAR FOTO/RUEL ROSELLO DOMINATE. Cebu Province did not give SWU a fighting chance, dominating the men’s final on all fronts to win the Mayor’s Cup.