A University of San Carlos spiker stretches to save the ball in the secondary girls’ action of the 2015 Cesafi volleyball tournament at the USP-F Gym.
CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON
After failing in their bid to earn a return trip to the finals, last year’s runner-up University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-) Jaguars ended the season with some pride as they salvaged third place by bearing the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USP-F) Panthers, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 25-20, in the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament on Sunday at USP-F Gym.
USP-F, boosted by its home-court advantage, took off to a strong start to win the first set. The Jaguars, lashed back in the succeeding sets to cap what has been an unpredictable campaign.
Early in the season, the Jaguars looked like it will get another run at championship when they won five of their six elimination-round assignments.
But everything took a nosedive in the playoffs when USJ-R absorbed crucial defeats at the hands of the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors and defending champions Southwestern University (SWU) Cobras.
In the women’s division, the Lady Jaguars did what their male counterparts failed to do as they pulled off a crucial win over the defending champions Lady Cobras, 28-26, 22-25, 25-11, 25-21, to advance to the championship round.
USJ-R will face the same SWU squad in the championship round which will be played on Saturday.
Also in women’s play, the Lady Warriors survived a late scare from the Lady Panthers to win, 16-25 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 15-13.
The two squads will meet again on Saturday for the third-place trophy.
In the boys’ division, the Baby Panthers snatched the third place trophy by nipping the Don Bosco Technology Center Baby Greywolves, 25-18, 25-15.
In girls’ division, the Jaguars ended their season on a high note by crushing USP-F, 25-18, 25-20, and claimed third place honors.