The University of San Carlos Lady Warriors gather after winning the third place trophy in the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament. (CDN PHOTO/ JOHN CARLO VILLARUEL)
SKIPPER Debbie Mae Gamboa put a spectacular ending to her collegiate career, scoring the game-winning spike in the University of San Carlos’ 22-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-21 win over the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Lady Panthers in their battle for third in the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament at the USC Main Gym last night.
The 19-year-old Gamboa, who is set to graduate on March next year, delivered the goods when it mattered the most as she unleashed a powerful spike courtesy of an excellent set from Christa Gonzales to give the Lady Warriors a 24-21 advantage in the fourth.
“It was a great feeling. Christa set the ball for me and I was thankful that it went through the defense of (Valerie) Tangeres,” said the Dalaguete-native Gamboa.
After Gamboa’s delivery, USPF’s Baby Jane Almerol committed an error in the next sequence that iced Lady Warriors’ victory.
The Lady Warriors started the game slow that saw them committing 10 unforced errors in the opening set.
“We had no energy in the first set. The team was really silent in the first set. No one was talking,” Gamboa.
The Lady Warriors came roaring back in second as they unloaded an 18-14 bomb highlighted by Shiela Ricahuerta’s ace.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Lady Warriors displayed the needed composure as they weathered a USPF storm in the final two sets to end their season on a high note.
Meanwhile in the men’s division, the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras took the top spot from the USC Warriors after dominating the USPF Panthers, 25-15, 25-13, 25-19.
SWU, which finished the eliminations with five wins and a single loss, will take on fourth-ranked University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers in today’s round robin semifinals, while USC will battle the third-ranked University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Jaguars.