USPF, USJ-R clinch 3rd place

A BALL that wasn’t supposed to go over the net towed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) to win the third place diadem of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament over the University of San Jose Recoletos yesterday at the University of San Carlos gym.

USPF defeated a shellshocked USJ-R 25-19, 21-25,16-25, 25-19, 15-13.

At match point, USPF was in the lead, 14-10, but USJ-R would not back down and just lose without a fight as they scored three straight points to inch to within 14-13.

A frenzied exchange of shots ensued. A USJ-R attacker slammed a strong shot towards USPF. The ball went directly into the waiting arms of John Paul Togonon. But instead of passing it to USPF setter Cesar Navarro, to set for another kill, went back over the net to an unexpecting USJ-R, who had no choice but to just look at the ball as it sailed over their heads and land midcourt to put an easy end to USPF’s struggle.

“Togonon was trying to receive the ball and was supposed to pass it on to Navarro. But because of the intensity of the game, he put a lot of force on it and took USJ-R by surprise,” said USPF head coach Joerem Yu, who added that they dedicate their game to one of his key players Kevin Auzan, who is already been in the hospital for almost two weeks.

Meanwhile, USPF’s women’s collegiate’s team bowed to USJ-R, 25-19, 25-19, 25-16.