Cesafi volleyball: SWU, USC reign supreme

CEBU, Philippines — Southwestern University-Phinma and University of San Carlos both had a reason to celebrate after clinching the championship in their respective division in the volleyball event of the 18th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) yesterday at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation gym in  Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

SWU defended its men's title after a thrilling four-setter over a gutsy University of the Visayas, 22-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-23, in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series.

SWU spikers completed a sweep beating UV in Game 1, 26-24, 26-24, 25-21.

"We are well prepared this season, we really worked hard for this. It is overwhelming at the same time very happy to get the title once again," said the newly-installed SWU men's head coach John Paul Romo.

SWU's setter Mark Kevin Petancio also earned himself the Most Valuable Player plum for  the second straight year.

SWU's other special awardees are Raul Consad (first best outside hitter), Cedric Negre (first best middle blocker), Kim Abian (best opposite spiker). UV's Raffy Abanto was the second best outside hitter while CIT-U's John Paul Lumen and Rins Hasley Bantro received the second best middle blocker and best libero award, respectively.

In the women's action, USC lady spikers also swept their own finals series against University of San Jose-Recoletos to end their six-year title drought.

USC defeated USJ-R in a four-set thriller, 25-13, 19-25, 25-11, 25-14 to reclaim the crown.

USC's new head coach Grace Antigua led USC to be back on top of the Cesafi women's volleyball. "I am very happy and very proud of this team. Our hard work realy paid off," said Antigua, who was also a former head coach of USJ-R.

USJ-R's  Rosemarie Malagar was awarded the MVP . She was also named as first best middle blocker.