Last weekend saw long title droughts come to an end with University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) winning the boys and girls titles, respectively.
Today, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars will try to put an end to their own agonizing wait as they gun for their first crown in nine years against former tormentors Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.
Game time is set at 2 p.m.
USJ-R, which last won the title in 2007, came close to winning the championship last year only to falter in the finals against the same SWU squad.
USJ-R faces a tall order as SWU has been a picture of invincibility as it only lost twice in the past two seasons.
However, the Lady Jaguars have shown they have what it takes to beat the Lady Cobras, who they nipped in their first meeting this year last month.
It was USJ-R’s first win over SWU since October 11 of last year.
Legendary Jaguars mentor Grace Antigua said her wards must communicate well and know their spots in the court to have a chance against SWU.
“They just have to stay focused and give everything inside the court. They have to be confident,” said Antigua. “They have to believe in themselves because confidence leads to success.”
They may be a dominant force but SWU rookie head coach Roy Ulan warned his wards to play aggressive all through out.
In their last two meetings, USJ-R had taken the opening sets.
“We have to be confident and start the game aggressively,” said Ulan.
Men’s semis begins
In the men’s division, reigning title holders SWU Cobras battle the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers while USJ-R Jaguars take on last year’s runners up USC Warriors in the single round-robin semifinals which begins at 8 a.m today.
The top two teams after the semis will battle in a best-of-three finals starting Nov. 19.