REIGNING men’s champions University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) and five-peat seeking Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Lady Cobras will go for the kill as they look to close out their respective best-of-three finals series with victories in Game 2 today at the University of San Carlos Main Gym.
Both the SWU-Phinma women’s team and the USJ-R men’s squad currently lead 1-0 in their separate championship series and would need just a win to raise the trophy.
USJ-R drew first blood last Sunday following a 22-25, 25-14, 25-22, 25-20 win over SWU-Phinma in the men’s finals before the Lady Cobras took Game 1 of the women’s finals via a thrilling 26-24, 25-14, 16-25, 25-19 decision against the Lady Jaguars.
However, coaches of the Spiking Jaguars and Lady Cobras believe that they are in for an all-out war citing that closing out a series is always the hardest thing, knowing that their opponents will come out hungrier with their backs against the wall.
And in the midst of the battle, tired legs will always play a deciding role in the outcome of the game and for SWU-Phinma women’s coach Roy Ulan, he is hoping that his players can endure all the pain that is about to come to taste the sweetness of being champions once again.
“The players already have the skills and what we need is the endurance in every set. One set at a time lang,” Ulan said.
On the other hand, USJ-R men’s mentor Grace Antigua hopes that her wards will not lose their focus against an intimidating Spiking Cobras squad which sports national team players Dave Cabaron and John Carascal.
“We just have to focus on Game 2. Treat it as do or die. We also have to be mentally prepared so we won’t looked lost inside the court,” Antigua said.
Game time between the Lady Cobras and the Lady Jaguars in the women’s division is slated at 1:30 pm while the Spiking Jaguars-Spiking Cobras finals Game 2 is scheduled at 3:30 pm.