THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) girls volleyball team stunned reigning CESAFI champions Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) Magis Eagles, 25-13, 25-18 yesterday to advance to the knockout semifinals of the 3rd Inter Private Schools Cup Volleyball at the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJR) Basak Open Gym.
The Baby Panthers won the opening set by 12 points but the undermanned Magis Eagles refused to fold up in the second as they ignited a 5-0 mini-run to cut a 12-point deficit to just six, 23-17.
But several miscues capped by back-to-back service errors by the Magis Eagles handed the Panthers the victory to top Group A with a 3-0 (win-loss) card.
“For me I think they won those games because they are using their mind in the court,” said USPF girls mentor Yolanda Rizzari.
The Baby Panthers will face last season’s CESAFI finalist USJR Basak which finished second in Group B with a 3-1 (win-loss) slate.
“I just told them to think positively tomorrow (today) and believe in their teammates,” Rizzari added.
Despite the loss, the Magis Eagles who will be missing the services of CESAFI best attacker Jennifer Delos Santos for the rest of the tournament, still made it to the semis with a 2-1 (win-loss) record in Group A. Delos Santos is still in Davao.
In the semis, the Magis Eagles will go up against the Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras whom whom they defeated in last year’s CESAFI Final 4.
SWU topped Group B with a 4-0 (win-loss) card.
The semifinal games will be played in the morning while the final game is tipped at 3 p.m.