Tuesday, October 23, 2007 Uni Games’ Day One: USC fails; USJ-R performs
CEBU Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. champions University of San Carlos and University of San Jose Recoletos started their respective bids in the University Games on contrasting notes yesterday in Bacolod City.
USC men’s team squandered an early lead to bow to Rizal Technological University, 25-17, 17-25, 19-25, 25-27.
The USJ-R volley belles on the other hand, the back-to back Cesafi champions, had to overcome jitters to claim their first win 25-22, 25-14, 27-25 at the expense of St. Louise University of Baguio.
“First-game jitters, it was what we had to deal with. The players were adjusting at first because they were new to the court. There were so many things that we could improve on based on that game,” said USJ-R head coach Grace Antigua of her team, which will be facing Silliman University of Dumaguete City at 4:30 p.m. today. The other teams that they need to take on are St. Benilde College and Iloilo Doctors’ College.
The USC volleyball squad, on the other hand, failed to capitalize on the momentum they gained early on to eventually bow to RTU.
“We did well. It was just that we were surprised at their attack. We were stronger but we were caught dumbfounded and were outdone with their smart-playing,” said USC team captain Roderick Arenasa, who is the reigning men’s volleyball MVP of Cesafi.
Meanwhile, the USC Warriors, this year’s Cesafi collegiate basketball runnerup, start their campaign today against La Carlotta College.
The basketball event has attracted 21 teams, which will be divided into brackets. USC is grouped with Asian College of Science and Technology, Ateneo de Zamboanga and St. Francis of Assisi.
The Warriors will be led by two-time Cesafi MVP Enrico Llanto and other protagonists Niño Ramirez, Carlo Padayao, Giovanni Padillo, Sam Hermosa and the lanky but formidable Robert Codilla. They will be missing the services of reliable point guards Harvey Lazalita and Paul Joven but they will be taken cared off by the able hands of two new associates.
The USC Lady Warriors on the other hand will also open their bid today. USC, the reigning Cesafi champs will be led by Jessamine delos Reyes. (MCB)
