USJR’s Rojen Pacio smashes one through the defense of CIT-U at the USC gym.
CDN PHOTO/CHRISTIAN MANINGO
Cesafi college volleyball
The championship round of the Cesafi collegiate volleyball tournament will feature a rematch of last year’s finalists as the Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) men’s and women’s volleyball teams headline the best-of-three finals series in their respective divisions starting today at the University of San Carlos Gym.
It can be recalled that the two powerhouse volleyball schools split last year’s finals with SWU-Phinma claiming their fourth consecutive women’s title after beating USJ-R and the Spiking Jaguars blasting the Spiking Cobras to bag the men’s crown.
In yesterday’s action, the reigning men’s title-holder Spiking Jaguars set up another blockbuster championship showdown with SWU-Phinma after escaping the plucky Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U), 25-10, 20-25, 25-19, 25-18, in the round-robin semifinals.
As they head into their second consecutive finals encounter, USJ-R mentor Grace Antigua recognizes the daunting task of retaining their crown, most especially since they haven’t won a set against SWU this season.
The Spiking Cobras defeated USJ-R in their two meetings, beating them in straight sets both in the elimination and recently in the round-robin semis last week.
Game 1 of the Jaguars-Cobras finals series is scheduled at 1:30 p.m.
In the distaff side, defending champions SWU-Phinma will start their bid for a rare five-peat while USJ-R looks to put an end to back-to-back bridesmaid finishes when both collide at 3:30 p.m.
Also in the women’s play, USC and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation aim to end their season on a strong note as they battle for the bronze medal at 8:30 am while CIT-U takes on the University of the Visayas in the battle-for-third match in the men’s play scheduled at 10:30 am.