SWU takes 1-0 lead in Cesafi volley finals

A Southwestern University spiker attacks the defense of two University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars in Game 1 of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament best-of-three finals yesterday at USC Main Gym.
(CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO)

A seventh title in eight years is within reach for the Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras as they posted a 25-15, 20-25, 27-25, 25-19 win over the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals series of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.

The Lady Cobras displayed their traditional electrifying offense from the get go as they leaned on the blazing attacks of Sheena Quiño, Janelle Cabahug and Dyan Darantinao, who unloaded a combined 13 kills to take the opening set.

However, the Lady Jaguars didn’t go down without a fight. They charged back in the second set behind the defensive heroics of middle hitter Daniella Alfeche, who towered over USJ-R’s defense with five blocks to tie the game at one set apiece.

“Nawala gyud sila sa pag second set kay na-overpower sila sa energy sa pikas,” said SWU rookie mentor Roy Ulan.

The Lady Jaguars continued to put pressure on the scrambling offense of the Lady Cobras as they staged an 11-6 lead early in the third, but SWU managed to dig down deep from its championship experience and ignited a 21-14 run to steal the third set.

SWU finally got in the groove in the fourth, taking a 14-11 lead before finishing off the Lady Jaguars with an 11-8 blitz.

“Focus lang gyud sa duwa. Communicate well and be aggressive. We hope to sustain the momentum sa Game 2. Naka-set ang kontra so practice pa mi,” said Ulan who is aiming for his first title in the league as a head coach.

Game 2 between the Lady Jaguars and Lady Cobras is set on Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m.

In the men’s division, the USJ-R Jaguars and the SWU Cobras inched closer to the finals after dispatching separate opponents in the round-robin semifinals.

Back-to-back champion SWU, which is targeting a rare grand slam defeated the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, 22-25, 25-9, 25-11, 25-18, while last year’s third placers, USJ-R, annihilated the USC Warriors, 25-23, 25-23, 25-12.

SWU looks seal its third straight finals appearance on Saturday when it takes on USJ-R in the first game, while USC and UV aim to keep their tournament hopes alive as they battle in the second game.