And now there were only four.
After a week of torrid battle, only four teams remain in each division to finish and win the war as they go nip-and-tuck in today’s knockout semifinal rounds of the Cebu Schools Athletics Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) beach volleyball tournament at Aznar Sand Courts.
In the men’s division, reigning-title holders Southwestern University Cobras (SWU) resume their bid for back-to-back crowns when they tackle the redemption-seeking University of the Visayas Green Lancers (UV).
It can be recalled that SWU led by Dave Cabaron and ace spiker Rommel Pepito dethroned the 2013 champions UV Green Lancers composed of Jojo Naval and Mark Fernandez last year.
But the Green Lancers are optimistic of returning the favor today as they parade Tagum City’s volleyball phenom Hachaliah Gilbuena and the veteran Jojo Naval, a change that did not escape
SWU Head Coach Dave Arreza who knows it would be a tough road for them from here on as he remains upbeat on their chances of safeguarding their title.
“Our preparation against UV is alright,” Arreza said. “I’ve been observing their weaknesses and I always told my boys to focus and listen to my instructions,” he added.
Also in the men’s semis, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) will go up against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation Panthers (USP-F).
In the distaff side, the top-ranked USJ-R Lady Jaguars will battle the University of Cebu Webmasters while the SWU Lady Cobras take on the USPF Lady Panthers.
In secondary girls action, the powerhouse duo of USJ-R sisters Anne Krizzia and Chriszelle Anne Caasi who gave Cebu Province the gold in the recent 2015 Batang Pinoy Beach Volleyball Championships, hopes to carry their momentum as they battle the USPF Panthers.
Also, the unbeaten University of San Carlos Warriors (USC) will come to blows with the defending champions SWU Cobras.
In boys play, the USJ-R Baby Jaguars face the USC Baby Warriors while the USPF Baby Panthers take on the Don Bosco Technological Center Baby Greywolves (DBTC).
Today’s winners will advance to tomorrow’s championship round.