SWU, USJ-R belles gun for finals seats today

The USPF Lady Panthers and the SWU Lady Cobras, shown in this Sept. 25 photo, will face separate opponents today with the latter gunning for another finals stint in the Cesafi 2016 women’s volleyball at San Carlos gym (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).

REIGNING title-holders Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras and last year’s runner up University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars look to return to the finals as they take on separate opponents in the semifinal round of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament today at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main gym.

The Lady Cobras, aiming for an eight straight finals appearance, will be taking on the struggling USC Lady Warriors, who are fighting for their lives in the final game of the afternoon.

SWU has been perfect all throughout the year, winning all of its six assignments including a 25-19, 25-22, 25-18 triumph over the same Lady Warriors squad in the elimination round.

The Lady Warriors have collapsed late in the season, ending their last four games with a dismal 1-3 (win-loss) card after a blazing 2-0 start.

USC will need all the help it can get, especially from its defensive specialist, Marie Malagar, who seemed non-existent in its loss to USJ-R last weekend.

Defense will indeed be important for USC as it tries to contain SWU’s Janelle Cabahug, Shiela Bongo, Sheena Quiño, Necca Rose Dela Llana and league MVP Floremel Rodriguez.

Also in women’s play, the USJ-R battles the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Lady Panthers with the Lady Jaguars hoping to make it to the finals for the second straight year.

In girls play, defending champions SWU will put its immaculate record on the line as it battles USJ-R while the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) takes on USPF.

Also in girls play, the Cebu Eastern College and University of Cebu hope to break into the win column when they tangle at 11 am.