Monday, May 28, 2007
Julette, injured, saves USJ-R
By Marian C. Baring
Sun.Star Staff Reporter
TO MAKE up for a previous bungle, Hotel Fortuna-backed University of San Jose Recoletos’ (USJR) team captain Julette Marikit turned into an unstoppable workhorse to steer her team to a lopsided win over Hiroshi to claim the championship tiara of the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Open Indoor Volleyball Tournament yesterday at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation gym.
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Playing with a severely scraped knee, she dove, blocked, spiked, was an offensive and defensive factor that paved the way for a 25-22, 25-20, 25-17 trouncing of Hiroshi.
Sweet victory
The win was made even sweeter as it became a retaliation of sorts on Hiroshi, which handed USJR its lone loss in the elimination round.
During their last encounter, USJR succumbed to the prowess of the gritty veteran-laden Hiroshi squad in five long sets.
Yesterday, a different USJR put up an opposition against Hiroshi.
“The last time, Ikit (Marikit) was not in condition, but now she made up for it,” Coach Grace Antigua said.
And making up for it she did, as Marikit, together with Lovelielyn Uy, whom Antigua also credited the win for, worked together to steer the team to victory.
However, it was also a different Hiroshi that came into the game.
“Off kaayo sila karon manduwa. Wala sa condition. Bug-at kayo sila tan-awon ilang mga lihuk.” said coach Rey Acojedo of Hiroshi, which came into the final round with an unstained record.
Hiroshi was almost a non-entity that even its top players, some of Cebu’s former collegiate stalwarts, could not save easy balls, had posted several reception errors and had a disoriented defensive line.
With the win, USJR will be treated to a victory party and island hopping spree, as promised by USJR assistant athletic director Dioscoro Himotas.
Losses
Meanwhile, team Liloanon spoiled Antigua’s bid for a back-to-back championships as it upset USJR men’s team, 25-18, 25-17, 24-26, 25-22.
Liloanon has not ruffled any feathers until it defeated defending Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. champions University of San Carlos and its runner up USJR.
Spearheading Liloan’s assault is former college standout Jonrey Sasing, who is gifted with arm-numbing spikes. Sasing was supported by a bevy of former champions Angelino Visoc, Meynard Alejandrino and Alfie Pilapil.
In the battle for third, Dewfoam backed USC won over Tinong’s 25-12, 21-25, 25-22, 25-16, in a game that became physical. Cool heads, however, prevailed. MLSDF All-Stars on the other hand, defeated RTM in an easy 25-21, 25-19, 25-22 win to take the third place diadem in the women’s division.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (May 28, 2007 issue)
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