Thursday, April 10, 2008 UV, SWU share top spot with 3-0 record By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BACOLOD CITY—The University of St. La Salle (USLS)is the lone school in the Visayas with a sand court and because of this, people expect its players to be one of the heavyweights in the regional qualifying of the Nestea Beach Volleyball competition.
Yesterday, however, the University of the Visayas showed otherwise and mercilessly shamed the host in their early morning game.
Playing in their own court, USLS’ Sheryl June Denila and Jerriz Joy Solis were helpless at the hands of defending champions Janez Armie Igot and Jusabelle Brillo, 21-15, 21-15.
However, the early schedule had some downs for the UV squad. Having very little time to warm up took its toll and the team gave up uncharacteristic unforced errors.
After UV took the first set, USLS held a 4-0 lead in the second. Instead of getting back, UV gave up five straight service errors from Brillo and Igot to help their opponents
pad the lead, 10-4.
“The girls really lacked time to warm up because the game was very early and games start on time,” said head coach Raffy Briones.
By this time, however, UV had enough jolt to awaken them and despite playing with the stinging and blinding rays of the sun, the Cebuanos managed to get back with a 12-0 rally that put them ahead 12-10 for good.
USLS only managed to tie the game at 14, mostly on errors from UV, but they never got lucky after that and UV eventually secured their third win in the competition.
It was a huge loss for USLS as they failed to take advantage of their home court edge. A home crowd was also of no help as very few came out to support them. Their cheers were in fact drowned by an even louder Cebuano contingent.
Easy win
Meanwhile, SWU’s Janelle Tabio and Florianne Gutierrez made minced-meat out of fellow Cebuanos, University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s Erica Verano and Herlene Ybarita, 21-13, 21-11, to also bag their third win.
Despite the loss USPF still has a chance to remain in contention after beating University of San Agustin, 12-21, 21-17 and 19-17.
UV and SWU share the top spot in the women’s division with 3-0 records, while USPF shares second with University of Occidental Negros with a 2-1 card.
Meanwhile, the USPF men’s team of Jonrey Sasing and James Rivera defeated another Cebu team, University of San Jose Recoletos, 21-13, 21-19 to improve to 2-0. USJ-R dropped to 2-1.
Sasing and Rivera is pairing up in beach volleyball for the first time, but Sasing admitted they do not have problems with teamwork as they have played indoor volleyball together.
What sets them apart from the other teams is the fact that they had played for separate teams before but have not practiced together for the competition.
Rivera was a semifinalist in Boracay last year, while Sasing is the men’s 2004 champion.
“We ran out of air, we were praying earlier for rain or for at least a cloudy weather,” Sasing said.
Sasing however, feels that he needs to step up because other want to defeatthem considering that he is a previous champion.
“Diha ko dapita napressure. Right now, I just want to focus on making it to Boracay,” said the high-flying Sasing.
The USJ-R and UV men’s team are currently sharing an identical 2-1 win-loss record. They play in crucial matches today to determine of they will be bidding their Boracay stint good bye.
