VOLLEYBALL YEARENDER: Of first timers and 4-peaters

Jojo Noval of UV tries to save the ball in this file photo taken during the men’s final of the 2016 CESAFI beach volleyball tournament against the Southwestern University. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

One of the things that never fail to fascinate sports fans is when a team exhibits something out of the ordinary – taking a page from a fan’s favorite storybook by letting fantasy overwhelm reality.

The 2016 CESAFI volleyball tournament was full of those moments, and took fans to the edge of their seats with bruising battles and dramatic reversals.

And Cebu Daily News was just too happy to be part of Cebu’s volleyball history, from the fairytale run of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles to the historic four-peats of the Southwestern University (SWU) Lady Cobras.

Let us look back at CESAFI volleyball’s unforgetable moments in 2016.

Two 4-peats for SWU in women’s volley

Who can stop the Lady Cobras?

For now….none!

The Lady Cobras call their team family, and they played like one en route to pocketing their fourth consecutive title in both the CESAFI indoor and beach volleyball tournaments.

Although the season started with doubts due to major changes in the Lady Cobras’ lair specifically the introduction of first-time head coach Roy Ulan, the Urgello spikers still proved to be a class on their own as they booked wins after wins as the season progressed resulting to their fourth straight crown in both indoor and beach volley events at the expense of fierce rival the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars.

For CESAFI indoor and beach volleyball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Therese Rae Ramas, rock solid teamwork is their main weapon.

So, who can stop the Lady Cobras?

Coach Ulan has the answer. And it’s none other than the Lady Cobras themselves!

Therese Rae Ramas and partner Janelle Cabahug restored SWU’s domination of women’s beach volleyball. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)

Magis Eagles win first girls crown

The year that’s about to end is especially unforgettable for the Magis Eagles.

Without a title since joining the league five years ago, it’s understandable for the Sacred Heart girls to self relegate themselves to the sidelines especially after losing starter Shiela Mae Kiseo during the offseason.

But the 2015 runners-up to the SWU Baby Cobras surprised everyone by beating SWU in the semis and set up a finals date with the USJ-R Jaguars.

In the finals, the Magis Eagles won Game 1 but lost Game 2. In the deciding match at the packed USC Gym, the Magis Eagles leaned on the heroics of Kaye Santos, Danielle Malazarte and Jennifer Delos Santos who played through injuries in beating the Jaguars, 25-16, 25-11, 22-25, 25-23 for their first ever crown.

USPF ends eight-year drought in boys volley

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers are a bunch of imperfect players. This season though, they wrote the perfect championship story.

Composed of players with ship loads of differences, the Baby Panthers didn’t let this affect their chemistry and instead worked as a cohesive wrecking crew on the way to their their first boys title since 2008, dethronign defending champion and prohibitive favorite SWU.

And coach Cecil Jotojot has a lot to thank for to his diverse lot specifically best setter Mark Enriquez and best blocker Alechan Absuelo who essayed the Babay Panthers’ gripping championship story.

Spiking Jaguars are Kings of Indoor Volleyball

The USJ-R faithfuls badly needed a win that fateful afternoon of November 20 to ease the pain of their loss in the women’s final against SWU Lady Cobras earlier that day.

Members of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu girls volleyball team celebrate their first title in the CESAFI after beating powerhouse USJ-R in the final. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)

And the undermanned Spiking Jaguars gave their supporters the sweetest win of the season by beating the SWU men’s team in four thrilling sets to end a three-year title-drought.

Coming into the season, the Spiking Jaguars were never considered title contenders after losing 2015 CESAFI best attacker McCoy Rocamora and Owen Belen who have exhausted their playing years. But these setbacks only stoked the fire in the Jaguars’ eyes.

The result? A shimmering CESAFI trophy, a most precious addition to their enviable collection.

UV has the final laugh

Just when everyone thought the USJ-R trio of Alastair Gairanod, Kent Jay Verbosidad and R.A. are about to sweep all CESAFI-sanctioned volleyball tournaments this season after a blazing 5-0 (win-loss) start in the beach volleyball event, the University of the Visayas came out of nowhere to rain on the Jaguars’ parade.

John Juban and Jojo Noval restored UV’s winning tradition in beach volleyball by beating the favored USJ-R trio in straight sets and hoisting the coveted trophy for the first time since 2013.

It also gave UV mentor and former Spiking Lancer Jade Becaldo a return trip to the podium three years after leading UV to the crown. More importantly, the victory gave the Spiking Lancers a spot in the prestigious NESTEA Beach Volleyball finals this summer in Boracay.