Sunday, May 18, 2008 USPF wins two in Shakey's opening
DRIPPING with sweat and overflowing with energy, four teams battled it out and showed their remarkable skills yesterday at the start of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) volleyball court.
Defending champion USPF started off strong notching two victories on the first day of competitions.
The first to fall prey to USPF was Pajo National High School.
USPF, who dropped the first set, had to fend off a sloppy start as it needed three sets before finally flogging Pajo, 21-25 , 25-21 , 25-23.
Pajo had put up a fight answering USPF’s strong volleys with equal intensities to the delight of the crowd.
Backed by a battle-tested team members, USPF, the more experienced between the two team, eventually prevailed over Pajo.
USPF, whose members are veterans of the Palarong Pambansa, had an easier task in its second match as it easily defeated Don Gerardo National High School in a lopsided 25-13, 25-6 win.
The Fr. Rolando Manayon-mentored Pajo, bounced back from its loss to USPF, venting its ire on ANS, 25-13, 25-20, in their afternoon match.
ANS, however, did not go home empty-handed as it pulled off a 25-19, 21-25, 25-21 win over DGNHS.
The games went on smoothly the entire day except for the perennial conflicts between the referees and coaches.
Tournament Director Fred Infante said that all the players need to work hard to win their matches because the winner of the league will represent Cebu at the Grand Tournament of Champions in Bacolod on June 11.
Today, the second day of the tournament, the University of Cebu will debut and is scheduled to play in two matches against ANHS and USPF.
The Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League is sponsored by Shakey’s, Toby’s Sports, Petron, ASICS and Mikasa. (Eva Marie T. Gamboa UP Mass Comm Intern)
