UV spikers fire Central Visayas to grandslam glory

CEBU, Philippines - The University of the Visayas spikers take pride for delivering a rare grandslam feat for Central Visayas in beach volley event of the 2017 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games recently at the Palmera Beach Resort in Iba, Zambales.

Manned by John kevin Juban and Fort Libres, the Raffy Briones-mentored UV blasted Western Visayas, 21-12, 21-17, then ousted Davao Region, 21-11, 21-19 to advance into the final round.

In the championship, UV swept past the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) powered by players from Tawi-Tawi, 21-11, 21-19 to claim the gold medal.

"We really did not expect to win the title because our opponents from Tawi-Tawi, aside from being the crowd favorite, are also much taller and very expolsive in their attacks," said Briones, who is also the barangay captain of Tinago. "My boys are just very determined and fought with a big heart that is why they prevailed in the end."

Helping out Briones in sharpening the skills of his players is his assistant coach and trainor Jade Becaldo, himself a national beach volley champ. They earned the right to represent the region in the PRISAA for being the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) titleholder.

It was Central Visayas' third straight beach volley crown after Southwestern University (SWU) triumphed in Iloilo in 2015 and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) last year in General Santos City.— EBVThe University of the Visayas spikers take pride for delivering a rare grandslam feat for Central Visayas in beach volley event of the 2017 Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games recently at the Palmera Beach Resort in Iba, Zambales.

Manned by John kevin Juban and Fort Libres, the Raffy Briones-mentored UV blasted Western Visayas, 21-12, 21-17, then ousted Davao Region, 21-11, 21-19 to advance into the final round.

In the championship, UV swept past the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) powered by players from Tawi-Tawi, 21-11, 21-19 to claim the gold medal.

"We really did not expect to win the title because our opponents from Tawi-Tawi, aside from being the crowd favorite, are also much taller and very expolsive in their attacks," said Briones, who is also the barangay captain of Tinago. "My boys are just very determined and fought with a big heart that is why they prevailed in the end."

Helping out Briones in sharpening the skills of his players is his assistant coach and trainor Jade Becaldo, himself a national beach volley champ. They earned the right to represent the region in the PRISAA for being the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. (CESAFI) titleholder.

It was Central Visayas' third straight beach volley crown after Southwestern University (SWU) triumphed in Iloilo in 2015 and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) last year in General Santos City.

IBF orders mandatory defense for Nietes

Along with the congratulatory letter he received from the International Boxing Federation last Tuesday, newly-crowned IBF world flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes received an order for a mandatory defense to be scheduled on or before October 29th this year.

Nietes’ promoter, ALA Promotions, might just have to reschedule its fighter’s plans of unifying titles in the flyweight division.

ALA Promotions President/CEO Michael Aldeguer stated, “We were looking to unify titles, but now we will have to honor this letter from the IBF first.”

Aldeguer disclosed that the initial plan was to stage Nietes’ first defense in his hometown Bacolod City this November. He also added that there is a possibility the fight will be happening abroad. “We are waiting to see who will be named mandatory challenger and work from there.”

Nietes became the third Filipino boxer to win three world titles in as many weight divisions or more, alongside eight-division world champ Manny Pacquiao and five-division world champ Nonito Donaire, when he emerged victorious last Saturday night in ALA Promotions’ Pinoy Pride 40 against IBF ranked No. 4 Komgrich “Eaktwan” Nantapech.

Nietes improved his record to 40-1-4 and continued his unblemished status as a world champion since winning his first title in 2007. He is currently the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, reigning a full 8 years and 11 months to surpass the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record in January 2015. (FREEMAN)