Jojo Noval of the University of the Visayas (UV) fails to save the ball but he and his partner John Juban managed to save their game against the Southwestern University (SWU) in the Cesafi men’s beach volleyball match at the Aznar San Courts. UV won the match to advance to the semifinal round.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of the Visayas (UV) Spiking Lancers took a major step to reclaiming the title they lost in 2014.
This after the UV tandem of Jojo Noval and John Juban rallied from a first set loss yesterday and shocked last year’s runners up Southwestern University (SWU) Spiking Cobras, 17-21, 21-13, 15-13 to move into the knockout semifinals of the CESAFI men’s beach volleyball tournament at the SWU Sand Courts.
The win pushed the Spiking Lancers to second overall in the standings with their 3-1 (win-loss) card.
SWU started the game with a stirring display of high-octane offense eo win the first set, 21-17. But UV put up a solid defensive wall in the second and limited the Cobras to just 13 points– their lowest this season– to even things up.
The Spiking Lancers carried their momentum in the third as they survived a nip-and-tuck exchange with the Spiking Cobras before pulling off a close, 15-13 victory.
Joining UV in the semifinals are defending champions University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) who kept their immaculate record intact with a, 21-11, 21-15 victory against Cebu Institute of Technology-University for a 3-0 (win-loss) card.
In the distaff side, the University of Southern Philippines (USPF) Lady Panthers moved into the win column after three tries by defeating the University of Cebu (UC) Lady Webmasters 21-6, 21-10.
Contrasting debuts
Meanwhile, the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles high school volleyball teams experienced contrasting fates in their respective debuts.
The Lady Magis Eagles, the reigning indoor champions, suffered a heartbreaking loss in their maiden beach volleyball game, losing to UC, 11-21, 12-21.
Surprisingly, their boys team which did not even reach the semis stage this year in the indoor tournament, crushed Cebu Eastern College 21-7, 21-12 and Don Bosco Technological Center for a 2-0 (win-loss) record.
The Lady Magis Eagles hope to bounce back today when they tackle CEC while the boys team faces the University of San Carlos.