SWU Lady Cobras defend Cesafi volley title
THE Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras defended their title after beating the University of San Carlos (USC) Lady Warriors in straight sets, 25-21, 26-24, 26-24 in yesterday’s Game 2 of the best-of-three series of the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) collegiate volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum.
SWU rode on the cottails of its Game 1 win last Saturday and pummeled on USC from the get go taking the first set with ease
USC started to warm up only in the second set and was actually at set point, 24-22 behind April Smith.
But the momentum suddenly shifted when USC committed an unforced error for SWU to edge closer, 24-23. A drop shot from Marlyn Llagoso put the score 24-all and force a slide two.
Two service aces from Janelle Cabahug closed the set for the Lady Cobras.
With a lot of ground to cover, USC, led by Kim Hanika, Aira Yzabel Velasco pushed SWU’s backs against the wall. Smith once more scored a set point 24-23 but a net violation from USC once more tied the game 24-all. SWU was not looking to extend the game to a fourth set or a third game as Florenel Rodriguez and Cabahug fired powerful attacks to finally win a back-to-back title in the 2014 Cesafi volleyball season.
“We are glad that we won again and that the girls showed remarkable game play through-out the game,” said assistant coach Dave Arreza.
Meanwhile, SWU volleyball consultant Sammy Acaylar, who flew in to Cebu after his Cignal HD women’s team won against team RC Cola in the Superliga Conference said that he is happy that the team won.
“Masaya kasi all the training paid off,” said Acaylar.
Acaylar also said he is eyeing two Lady Cobras to join team Cignal for the Superliga.
SWU’s team captain Neresa Villanueva was awarded as the Most Valuable Player (MVP), while teammates Therese Rae Ramas was the best server and Llagoso was named the best blocker.
USC’s Hanika was awarded as best attacker, while the best setter award was given to Ma. Christa Gonzales. Ann Marielle Froilan was the best libero.
Meanwhile, in the men’s Game 2, the reigning champion team of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR) Spiking Jaguars succumb to SWU Spiking Cobras in five thrilling sets, 19-25, 23-25, 25-17, 2826, 15-8, to force for a door-die Game 3.
After losing Game 1, SWU made sure they won Game 2 and scored heavily on Alden Dave Cabaron’s kills, backed by a solid defense from Rommel Pepito.
“It was a team effort. I am glad that we put our heads together in this game. In Game 1, we didn’t communicate well. This time, we made sure we communicated inside the court,” said Cabaron.
Meanwhile, USJ-R head coach Grace Antigua said that SWU is getting stronger and that her team must have more con- fidence in Game 3.
“I am not pressuring the whole team to win the title but I just want them to pour out what they have been training for for a year. They need to show more confidence inside the court when they play,” said Antigua.
The men’s and women’s teams of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) won the third place in their divisions.