Volleybelles from Ateneo de Cebu fail to save the ball in a game against USJ-R yesterday at the Lux Oriens Gym in Mandaue City. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
After four days of bruising elimination round battles, the last four teams standing look to move further as the knockout semifinals of the 15th Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball League–Central Visayas (SGVL–CV) leg starts this afternoon at the Lux Oriens Gym of the Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu (SHS–AdC) in Canduman, Mandaue City.
Making the semis are SHS-AdC, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), Southwestern University (SWU) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).
Yesterday, Cesafi finalist USJ-R capped off its unbeaten run in the eliminations with a remarkable 25-16, 25-18 beating of old tormentors and reigning Cesafi champions Magis Eagles to top Group B and advance to the next round.
But the Baby Jaguars, who finished the eliminations with a clean 4-0 (win-loss) slate, are set to face an acid test in the semis as they take on another champion squad in defending SGVL-CV champion SWU in the main game at 3 p.m.
Baby Jaguars head coach Roldan Potot thinks his team has got what it takes to beat SWU.
“The team just needs to continue their momentum and never be overconfident against SWU to win,” said Potot.
The first match of the semifinals is ironically the most highly anticipated game of the tournament as USPF battles a Magis Eagles squad that boasts of its former player, Kirstin Louise Ojeda.
Ojeda transferred to the Magis Eagles earlier this month after helping USPF win the 3rd Inter Private Schools Cup volleyball last April.
Although SHS-AdC are considered favorites for being the Cesafi champions, Baby Panthers coach Yolanda Rizarri believes the team can put up a good fight.
“We have been playing tune-up games against Ateneo and we are very positive and enthusiastic about our chances against them,” said Rizarri, who has turned the team around from being a laughing stock to a championship contender since being named as head coach last December.
The knockout semifinal game between the Baby Panthers and Magis Eagles is slated at 1:30 p.m.