Defending champions SWU-Phinma Cobras cool down after advancing to the best-of-three Cesafi men’s volleyball finals.
CDN PHOTO/RAY CHARLIE DIAZ
DEFENDING champions Southwestern University (SWU)-Phinma Cobras can’t wait to once again face the University of the Visayas (UV) Green Lancers, this time, for the title of the 2018 Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament.
The Cobras secured their finals spot after defeating the Cebu Institute of Technology-University (CIT-U) Wildcats, 27-25, 25-15, 25-21, in the last day of the semis which took place at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gym yesterday.
More than retaining their title, the Cobras also hope to avenge their lone loss which they suffered at the hands of the Green Lancers in the semifinals.
And, the Cobras are feeling positive because this time, they will face the Green Booters with a healthy lineup.
Just right after the Halloween, two of the Cobras libero, Zegfred Petalcorin and middle blocker Nilo Jasmin, were not able to play after they got inflicted with chicken pox.
“Because of the illness, we drew a loss during the semifinals,” SWU-Phinma men’s volleyball head coach John Paul Romo told Cebu Daily News.
The Green Lancers stained the Cobra’s record during their first match of the semis, 27-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16.
“By that time, Jasmin just recovered from his illness. But still he was not in a good condition to play on that day,” Romo shared.
UV was also the first team to make it into the finals after drawing a 2-0 (win-loss) record in the semifinal round.
The Cobras said that they are ready to face the Green Lancers.
“Hopefully in the Game 1, the players can execute our gameplays well,” Romo shared. “We look forward to successfully make our first balls count,” he added.
According to Romo, their advantage over UV is that, “we are bringing the pride of a champion and a champion’s heart we have. We are ready to defend it.”
Game 1 of the best-of-three women’s and men’s championship kicks off today at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m., respectively, still at the USPF gym.