CEBU, Philippines – The Southwestern University spikers kept their title retention bid alive after escaping past the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in a five-set thriller in the men's volleyball event of the 15th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc. season yesterday at the University of San Carlos-Main gym.
USPF surprised SWU in the first set, 25-23, but the Spiking Cobras bounced back with aplomb to sweep the next two sets, 25-19, 25-20 and gain a 2-1 advantage.
The Panthers did not give up so easily and forged a decider after winning the fourth set, 25-22.
The Cobras, however, pushed harder and squeezed all their energies left to seal their first semifinal win, 15-10.
The SWU men's squad hope to punch a finals ticket when it battles USC as games return to the University of San Jose-Recoletos Basak Campus gym this afternoon.
In the women's bracket, the SWU belles ended their elimination round assignment with a 25-12, 25-21,25-15 triumph over the University of Cebu.
In the secondary girls semis, SWU hurdled its opening assignment against USC, 25-19, 25-19. SWU will face next the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu, which fell prey to USJ-R in three sets. (FREEMAN)