AFTER a strong start, the world came crashing down on the University of Southern Philippines Foundation women’s volleyball team when it squandered its chance for a national title after dropping two of its matches in Day 2 of the Shakey’s Tournament of Champions yesterday at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) in Bacolod City.
USPF first bowed to home team USLS, 23-25, 18-25 in their morning game before eventually ending all hopes for a title when they lost to defending champion Hope Christian University in the afternoon. The best USPF could now come up with is a third place diadem.
In their first game in the morning, although they tried to put up a fight, they just could not seem to match the power of a headstrong USLS.
Coach Jordan Paca’s squad was left dumbfounded by the offenses of USLS’ Gianes Dolar, Dancel Dusaran and Fritz Gall–enero, who got the needed boost from their bench players, who slammed shots in every single opening at USPF’s side of the court.
USPF failed to capitalize on the ground defenses that they have trained for and the expertise of its seasoned players Danika Gendrauli, Kaisse delos Santos and Apple Sa–raum.
This will be Gendrauli and Saraum’s last game in the Shakey’s Girls V-League.
The loss had damaged the team’s morale, which they could not shake off in time for their afternoon match against their nemesis Hope Christian.
Hope Christian, the Palarong Pambansa champions, took advantage of USPF’s bruised ego and defeated them like they did in last year’s championship battle.
While Hope Christian, having won all of its matches, will get a shot at defending its crown, USPF will be playing for third against a still to be determined foe. (MCB)
