Host University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Lady Jaguars will look to reclaim the volleyball crown in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) volleyball tournament, which starts this Friday at the USJ-R Gymnasium.
The women’s division will feature last year’s champion Southwestern University (SWU), runner-up University of San Carlos (USC) and powerhouse squads Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU), University of Cebu (UC) and University of Southern Philippines-Foundation (USP-F).
The Lady Jaguars, who finished fourth last year, added Anna Marie Aldave, Ma. Christine Dior Vergara,
Daniella Alfeche and former high school star Elyssa Sheen Durango to their lineup.
Durango will be one of the players expected to deliver for the young Jaguars team.
She said chemistry has been the main concern for the squad as they fail to communicate well in the court that results to sloppy plays on both ends of the floor.
“Kulang pa og teamwork ug determination in practice,” she said. (We still lack teamwork and determination in practice.)
USJ-R coach Grace Antigua will have her hands full with the number of rookies in her team and admitted that consistency has been the dilemma of the Lady Jaguars over the past few years.
“Kasagaran man nila mga first year. Mga neophytes. Kinahanglan namo consistency lang gyud,” the multi-titled coach said. (Most of them are on their first year. They are neophytes. We really need consistency.)
Antigua, who led the Lady Jaguars to the championship in 2007 and has also won titles in the beach volleyball scene, is hoping that her squad will make the top four this season.
The Lady Jaguars will once again rely on veterans Aubreyrose Waper, Jessah Mae Nacorda and Irene Vanelli Sasil. The trio will be playing their last year in the collegiate level.
Junior center-blocker Tovya Kaiko Galeon is also expected to provide the defensive presence. Completing the lineup are sophomores Crisha Kaye Diore Ardon, Francess Macasero, Rona Jane Patindol, Jackielou Singson and third year star Jessa Marie Jorquia.
Despite the immense potential of the squad, Antigua said there is still much room for improvement.
“I’m sure the players will give their best. We coaches will also give our best but we won’t promise anything,” Antigua said.