Players from Cebu Province scramble to save a point in a championship game against Southwestern University-Phinma iConnect yesterday at the USC gym. CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
Cebu Province uses experience to defeat SWU-Phinma and bag Mayor’s Cup men’s crown
Cebu Province head coach Grace Antigua knew very well what her team’s disadvantage was against Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma iConnect going into the finals of the Cebu City Mayor’s Cup Open Volleyball Tournament yesterday.
But the multi-titled mentor also knew her team’s strengths and used it to the hilt as Cebu Province went on to defeat the Cobras, 25-18, 25-15, 25-14, and bag the Men’s Division title of the tournament at the University of San Carlos (USC) Gym.
The women’s title, meanwhile, was won by USC, which escaped the Cebu Spikers Volleyball Club (CSVC), 25-18, 25-22, 16-25, 19-25, 15-10.
Coming into the championship game, Antigua was worried about the team’s chemistry against a well-oiled SWU squad.
But being the great coach that she is, Antigua managed to find ways to win, and one was to maximize the team’s veteran smarts.
“The players that this team selected are veterans,” Antigua said.
“They really showed the opponents that experience really is a great teacher.”
Among her players are Ariel Carumba, who used to play for the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), former national pool and SWU-Phinma hotshot Dave Cabaron, and current coach of USJ-R Norvie Labuga, who was later named men’s division MVP. The three were former Cesafi stars in their college days.
According to Antigua, she studied SWU-Phinma’s game, enabling her to determine the team’s weak spots.
“I told [my] team where to place the ball and they executed it very well,” she said
“They may not have the chemistry but it is really the discipline that [made us a good team.]
Third placer in the men’s side was USJ-R, which defeated USC, 25-12, 25-15, 19-25, 25-18.
Mandaue City toppled University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 23-25, 25-14, 25-14, 25-15, to bag the bronze in the women’s side.
USC’s Julia Garcia was named women’s MVP.