USPF dethrones USC in Cesafi volleyball

THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) dethroned defending boys’ division champion University of San Carlos (USC) after a four-set thriller in Game 3, 25-16, 27-25, 29-27, 34-32, of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) volleyball boys’ division finals Saturday night, Nov. 10, at the USPF Gym.

After losing to USC in Game 2, USPF felt the sense of urgency and dominated the first set, 25-16. USC picked up the pace and tied the match 1-1 by winning the second set, 27-25.

The third set was really close, but USPF mustered enough energy to take it, 29-27.

The third set was also close; USC had seven opportunities to win the game after taking the match point, but USPF refused to give up. With the game tied at 32-32 thanks to a kill by Amil Pacinio Jr., USC’s Jan Marc Solon gave USPF the match point after his spike went out of bounds. Pacinio sealed it with a strong spike to win it, 34-32.

“We had the advantage with our lineup because we have five players who played in the Palarong Pambansa. Their advantage was their setter. We won it because we blended really well. I thank God and the school administration for all the support,” said USPF’s Cecil Jotojot.

USC looked really good in Game 2, but Jotojot made the necessary adjustments to win Game 3.

“I changed our formation. Our players were smaller against theirs,” said Jotojot.

Pacinio was named MVP and also bagged the Best Opposite Attacker plum. His teammates Kobe Bryan Rizaga won the Best Libero award and Christopher Claro got the Second Best Middle Blocker. USC’s Ruel Sarnejo won Best Setter. Chris John Pastor won the First Best Middle Blocker. Solon bagged First Best Outside Attacker and June Yungco won Second Best Outside Attacker. EKA