SWU-Phinma vs USJ-R highlights opening day matches of league’s 17th season
The Southwestern University (SWU) – Phinma Lady Cobras etched their name into the annals of the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament last year by being the only team to complete a four-peat in this decade.
Today, the Lady Cobras look to continue their dominance as they begin their title-retention bid against archrivals University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the kickoff playdate of the 17th season today at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gym.
Game time between the Lady Jaguars and the Lady Cobras is set at 3 p.m.
SWU will be going into the game as heavy favorites, considering that they have been dominating USJ-R in their past encounters. SWU has, in fact, won six of its eight previous matchups with USJ-R in the last two seasons.
And this early, the Lady Cobras believe they can continue their success this year.
“Yes, I believe that my women’s team can still be the champion this year if my players maintain their aggressiveness to fight,” said SWU head coach Roy Ulan. “I hope that they [will be in] good condition, both mind and body, and play with fighting spirit and team work.”
In the men’s division, the reigning men’s champions USJ-R Spiking Jaguars will look to start their bid on a high note as they take on the University of San Carlos (USC) Spiking Warriors at 1 p.m.
The first game of the season will be a girls’ matchup between newbie Cebu Doctors’ University and the defending champions Sacred Heart School- Ateneo de Cebu at 8 a.m. USC battles the University of Cebu in the second game.