SWU Cobras, USJ-R Jaguars renew rivalry as Cesafi volleyball tournament opens shop

REIGNING title-holders Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras and last year’s finalists University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars have built some sort of a rivalry which started last year and got even more intense in the-off season.

And there’s no better way to start the brand new Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. collegiate volleyball season than to see these two squads renew their rivalry with a much-anticipated duel at 10 a.m. today at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.

In last year’s finals, the Lady Cobras easily grabbed their sixth title in seven years after beating the Lady Jaguars, 2-0, in their best-of-three championship series.

As if the finals loss was not bitter enough, USJ-R suffered another major blow after Elah Silva left and joined SWU at the start of the second semester last year.

Earlier this summer, Silva made some strong comments against her former team saying “USJ-R lacked the training facilities needed by athletes.”

USJ-R mentor Grace Antigua debunked Silva’s claims.

Silva will try to prove herself against her former mentor, who placed her in the reserve list during her stint with the Jaguars.

Also in the women’s division, USC looks to protect its home turf against the visiting University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Lady Panthers at 8 a.m.

In the men’s division, defending champion SWU starts its grandslam bid against a short-handed USJ-R.

USJ-R and SWU have met in the men’s finals for two consecutive years with the Cobras winning all of them.

USJ-R will now be without top offensive weapons Owen De Belen and McCoy Rocamora, who have exhausted their playing years in the league.

USC Warriors starts its campaign against USPF at 1 p.m.