CLOSING IN ON: USJ-R inches closer to first Cesafi men’s volley title in three years
A Southwestern University Cobra tries to block the attempt of a University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguar in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series of the Cesafi men’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the USC Main Gym (CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO).
The University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Spiking Jaguars moved on the threshold of ending a three-year title drought after they took out the defending champions Southwestern University (SWU) Spiking Cobras in Game 1 of the Cesafi men’s volleyball tournament best-of-three finals yesterday at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.
The Spiking Jaguars relied on the heroics of open spiker Alastair Gairanod, who scored the team’s last twos points including the game-winning block that lifted USJ-R to a 21-25, 25-20, 25-21, 25-23 victory.
USJ-R looks to finish off the grand slam-seeking Spiking Cobras when the two teams collide anew for today’s Game 2 at the same venue.
Game starts at 3 p.m.
It looked like the Spiking Cobras were on their way of extending the game into a decider when they took a 22-19 lead in the fourth but Roj Pacio scored three straight, including two aces to tie the game at 22-all.
After forcing the Cobras to commit a service error, Gairanod took matters into his own hands as he caught a well-timed set from their playmaker Joshua Potot to put USJ-R ahead 24-23 before pulling off a huge defensive play that sealed the outcome of the game.
“I just made sure that the ball went in. We have to minimize our mistakes in Game 2. Our receive was bad. We will just give it all because we know SWU will also do the same. I hope we can win the championship next game,” Gairanod told Cebu Daily News after the match.
“It was a team effort. Our teamwork and communication were displayed in the game. I hope they can sustain it in Game 2,” said USJ-R mentor Grace Antigua, who leaped in celebration after Gairanod’s huge defensive stop.
Antigua hopes that Lady Luck will continue to smile at them as the Lady Jaguars look to stay alive against SWU Lady Cobras in their own best-of-three title series.
The Lady Cobras drew first blood by winning Game 1 25-15, 20-25, 27-25, 25-19 finals last Nov. 6.
“I just told them to be mentally prepared for Game 2. We will give everything we got so that hopefully we can force a Game three next week,” Antigua added.
The Lady Cobras and the Lady Jaguars will open today’s critical double-header at 1:30 p.m.
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