AS the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) celebrated in mid-court after ending their eight-year title drought in the Cesafi boys’ volleyball last season, University of San Carlos (USC) team captain Gwyndharell Guy could not help but be emotional, knowing that he could’ve done better in the last play of that game.
The 2015 Cesafi Most Valuable Player (MVP) Guy still remembers that play to this day.
With USPF leading 2-0 in the game and 26-25 in the third, the Baby Warriors had a chance of extending their season but a superb defensive effort by Baby Panther Alechan Absuelo prevented that from happening as he blocked the attack of Guy, giving USPF the title.
“I haven’t forgotten that play,” Guy said. “I really blamed myself. We lost because I was blocked.”
The championship loss was more heartbreaking as it was USC’s second consecutive finals defeat after failing to defend their crown against the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the 2015 Cesafi finals.
The Baby Warriors won the 2013 and 2014 Cesafi boys’ volleyball titles.
Despite the bitter memory of those moments still lingering on his mind, the 17-year-old Guy knows that it’s time move on.
“Because this is my last year, I will give my very best for my teammates and coaches,” Guy said.
Another blow hit the Baby Warriors this offseason as their prized attackers in 2014 league MVP Jay Tadatada and Jan Sumalinog joined USJ-R while Gamaliel Enriquez moved to the University of Cebu.
Still, he remains confident that USC will make it back to the top. But he will need the help of every member of the team in order to achieve that goal.
“I won’t do it all because this is a team sport. Along with my teammates, we will help each other so that our team will be champions.”