Valerie Tangeres of USPF attacks the defense of UC in a Cesafi women’s volleyball game at the USC gym. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Lady Panthers have made a sterling leap from being a middle-of-the-pack team to a title contender, thanks to what is called the 3 Ds that the coaching staff has taught the team this season.
The 3 Ds stand for determination, dedication, and discipline.
These three were evident on Sunday morning at the University of San Carlos (USC) Main gym when the Lady Panthers cruised to an easy 25-20, 25-15, 25-12 win against the University of Cebu (UC) to move to the semifinals of the F2 Logistics Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament.
“I always tell them about the three Ds and we coaches, including my assistant Claire Ann (Manalili), have always set our goal on winning,” USPF head coach Yolanda Rizarri said.
The victory tied USPF with the defending champions Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma at the top of the standings with identical 3-0 (win-loss) records.
It is a commendable feat for USPF to be at the top, considering that it only won two games in the previous season.
Despite their great start, Rizarri, who has brought wonders to the team since being appointed as head coach in December 2016, believes that the team needs to work even harder as they will be put to test when they go up against USC on Sept. 30 and SWU-Phinma on October 1.
“We will train harder for the USC game,” said Rizarri.
Also in women’s action, the University of San Jose – Recoletos scored their second consecutive victory after winning via default against an incomplete Cebu Doctors’ University.
In girls action, SWU-Phinma eliminated UC from playoff contention with a 25-15, 25-21 triumph.
In the collegiate men’s division, the University of the Visayas notched its third win in as many games by beating UC, 25-16, 25-15, 25-20.