AFTER a slow start to the season, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) is starting to flash its championship pedigree as the young Panthers moved just a win away from the semifinals after surviving the Cebu Institute of Technology- University (CIT-U) yesterday, 25-15, 20-25, 25-10 in the F2 Logistics Cesafi boys volleyball tournament at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main Gym.
The victory pushed the Baby Panthers back to second place with a 2-1 (win-loss) card while CIT-U dropped to 1-3.
After a crazy offseason which saw their key players Alechan Absuelo, finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) Pol Salvador and Ruel Sarnejo leaving the team, it looked like the Baby Panthers are ready to give up their quest for back-to-back titles as they fell short in their season debut to the University of Cebu (UC), 12-25, 25-10, 25-19.
However, that loss seemed only to rekindle the fire in USPF’s belly as they took down the Cebu Doctors University (CDU), 25-8, 25-16 last Sept 3. before surviving the gritty CIT-U squad yesterday.
Next up for the Baby Panthers in the Don Bosco Technology Center on Sept. 23.
“Namawi lang gyod mi. One win nalang. Maningkamot lang gyod mi para makasulod sa semis,” said USPF head coach Cecil Jotojot
Also in boys action, UC capped off its unbeaten run with an impressive, 25-15, 25-12 victory over winless CDU for a leading 4-0 card.
Meanwhile, the University of San Jose-Recoletos also kept its immaculate record intact after notching its fourth straight win by crushing UC, 25-14, 25-22 for the lead in the girls’ category with a 4-0 mark while USC blasted CDU, 25-5, 25-16 for its second win in five games.
In other girls matches, the Southwestern University-Phinma solidified its hold of second spot with a 3-1 mark after upseting reigning champions Sacred Heart School Ateneo de Cebu, 16-25, 25-10, 25-12 which fell to fourth place (2-2) while USPF moved up to third (2-1) with a, 25-7, 25-7 spanking of Cebu Eastern College.