USJ-R belles rule CESAFI

CEBU, Philippines — The University of San Jose-Recoletos volleybelles tasted their first championship in 12 years with a clean 2-0 sweep of Southwestern University-Phinma in their best-of-three finals series of the 19th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc.(CESAFI) volleyball tournament at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation yesterday.

USJ-R claimed the supremacy in the collegiate division with a thrilling 26-24, 25-27, 27-25, 20-25, 15-13.

The Lady Jaguars took control early in the first canto but SWU fought back in the ensuing set.

After winning the third set through the efforts of Daniella Alfeche, USJ-R slowed down in the fourth set after posting a 7-0 lead. SWU’s Rosyl Roncal and Chin Saberon launched an offensive onslaught to force the match into a deciding set.

It was a see-saw battle in the final set, but USJ-R spikers showed composure and showed that they are hungrier for a title.

Alfeche, who was hailed as the finals MVP, is happy to finally deliver a title for USJ-R.

“I’m so happy that finally, nakuha na gyud namo ang gold! After four consecutive years that we settled for second, we are happy to finally get the job done,” said Alfeche.

Aside from the MVP award, Alfeche was also named the best middle blocker while teammates Trisha Mae Ibarra got the best outside spiker award and Pamela Sumayang as the best setter.

The other players with special awards were University of San Carlos’ Mary Louise Querubin as the second best outside spiker, while USPF’s Jan Marie Gayo was chosen as best libero and Charisse Sungahid as the best opposite hitter.