USPF volleybelles repeat mastery vs. USJ-R

CEBU, Philippines – The CDO Idol Cheese Hotdog/University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) whacked the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park-sponsored University of San Jose -Recoletos (USJ-R) in the inaugural CESAFI Partner’s Cup volleyball tournament the other day at the University of San Carlos (USC)-Main gym.

In a rematch of last year’s CESAFI women’s finals, the USPF belles reaffirmed their supremacy over grandslam champion USJ-R in straight sets, 25-14, 25-23, 25-17.

It was a close battle in the first set until Ericka Camille Verano, Apple Saraum, Jennielou Fernn Villeguez and Jovi Abil put their acts in a 6-0 run that gave USPF a commanding 23-13 lead.

The second set saw USPF of coach Jordan Paca leading by five, 16-11, but with Joy Bonita in the service area, USJ-R made a sizzling 7-0 rally to wrest the driver’s seat at 18-16.

However, USPF countered with a seven-to-nothing run to regain the lead, 23-18, for food. The best USJ-R could muster was to tie the count at 23-all behind the efforts of Rachelle Hannah Singson, Michelle Simbajon, and rookies, Mona Dubdban, Abegail Praca and Mytha Padillo.

USJ-R seemed to have run out of gas in the third set, allowing USPF to easily wrap up the match, 25-17.

In the other game, the Aerosol Lion Tiger-backed USC routed Enervon-C Multivitamins/University of Cebu , 25-20, 25-11, 25-14.

The Eugene de la Cerna-mentored USC had a tentative start, but pummeled UC at will in the next two sets courtesy of the relentless offensive by team captain Jerymie Montalvo, Anna Krist Capinpin, Mary Daylin Escudero, Niña Irish Cortes, and Rachelle Cumba.

The R. Lapid’s Chicharon/SWU, meanwhile, won by default over Virginia Premium Corned Beef/Cebu Doctors’ University. -THE FREEMAN