SWU spikers struggle to keep the ball alive during their game against USP-F yesterday at the USC Main gym (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
REIGNING title-holders Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras surged past the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Lady Panthers in straight sets, 25-18, 25-16, 25-15, to advance to the semifinal round of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main gym.
The Lady Cobras displayed their full arsenal early on and took a 16-8 lead in the first set.
They continued their dominance in the next set behind the solid spikes of Necca Rose Dela Llana, Janelle Cabahug and Dyan Darantinao who combined for 12 of SWU’s 25 points in the second.
Dela Llana, who is playing her final year in the league, made the most out of every scoring opportunities as she stayed hot in the third, scoring five hits during the 17-8 blitz by SWU that sealed the hopes of the Lady Panthers.
Also in the women’s division, the Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) Lady Stallions kept their playoff hopes alive as they scored their first win in three games with a 25-19, 25-12, 25-19 victory over the University of Cebu (UC) Lady Webmasters.
However, an acid test awaits for the Lady Stallions today as they take on the defending champions Lady Cobras in the final game of the afternoon.
In the men’s division, the USC Warriors flirted with disaster before escaping the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars, 20-25, 27-25, 25-23, 25-23, to book their ticket to the semifinals while USPF barged into the win column with a 18-25, 29-27, 25-20, 25-17 victory over the win-less UC Webmasters.