Strong start for USJ-R, UV in Cesafi beach volley

THE UNIVERSITY of the Visayas (UV) and University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) proved why they were last year’s men’s finalists as they dominated their respective opponents in the opening day of the 2017 Cesafi beach volleyball tournament yesterday at the Fort San Pedro.

UV, the reigning men’s champions, showed its class against a lackluster University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) side, winning in straight sets 21-8, 21-16, while last year’s runner up USJ-R stamped its mastery over the Cebu Institute of Technology- University (CIT-U) with a 21-7, 21-14 rout.

UV head coach Jade Becaldo credited the win to the team’s hard work during practice.

“I think we have an advantage when it comes to the way we practice,” he said.

USJ-R mentor Grace Antigua, on the other hand, said experience was the key to their win.

“When it’s beach volley, experience is really the biggest factor,” said the multi-titled coach, who added that the team dedicated the victory to Ann Gairanod, the mother of USJ-R jaguar Alastair Gairanod, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

In the lone girls’ collegiate match, the University of Cebu (UC) outlasted USPF in three sets, 21-8, 13-21, 15-10.

In the high school division, UC kicked off its title defense on a rousing note. It first defeated University of San Carlos (USC), 21-17, 21-17, in a game that featured a rematch of last year’s finals, before beating USPF, 21-15, 12-21, 15-8.

Sacred Heart School- Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-ADC) also conquered its foes, routing both CIT-U, 21-13,21-13, and Don Bosco Technological Center (DBTC), 22-20, 21-12.

In the last match of the boys play, USJ-R crushed DBTC, 21-9, 21-12.

In the girls action, UC prevailed over USJ-R, 21-13, 24-22, while Cebu Eastern College (CEC) dispatched USC, 21-15, 21-17.

Games will continue tomorrow still at the Fort San Pedro.