THE Southwestern University (SWU-Phinma) Cobras moved one win away from a three-peat in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament.
The Cobras defeated the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 25-22, 25-19, 16-25, 25-21, in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) gym in Lahug, Cebu City on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019.
SWU-Phinma imposed its will in the opening set with a 25-22 score and got the second set with a 25-19 edge to post a commanding 2-0 lead.
But the Warriors did not go down without fighting as they rushed to a 10-2 start in the third set and cruised to a 25-16 score to force a fourth set.
It was a back-and-fourth action in the fourth set before SWU-Phinma staged a mini-rally to take a 12-8 lead, breaking away from an 8-all deadlock. USC came close at 24-21, but a service error cost them the game, giving SWU-Phinma the victory.
Four players from SWU-Phinma also won individual awards. Manuel Canumay was awarded the Best Outside Spiker, Nilo Jasmin was the Best Middle Blocker, Mark Kevin Petanao got the Best Setter plum and Rafol Sico nabbed the Best Opposite Hitter award.
The other awardees are Barbie Impenal of USPF ( 2nd Best Outside Spiker), Anthony Ekwenugo of USC ( 2nd Best Middle Blocker) and Jerie Joseph Pingoy of USC (Best Libero).
The individual awardees in the women’s division are Trisha Mae Ibarra of USJ-R (Best Outside Spiker 1), Nary Louise Querubin of USC (Best Outside Spiker 2), Daniella Alfeche of USJ-R (Best Middle Blocker 1 ), Chyne Mae Saberon of SWU-Phinma (Best Middle Blocker 2), Pamela Sumayang of USJ-R (Best Setter), Jan Marie Gayo of USPF (Best Libero) and Charisse Sungahid of USPF (Best Opposite Hitter).
Meanwhile, The SWU-Phinma Lady Cobras and the University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars are playing Game 1 of the women’s championship as of press time.
In the battle for third, USPF defeated University of the Visayas in straight sets, 25-20, 25-20 25-19, in the men’s division, while USC won over USPF in the women’s side, 21-25, 25-21, 14-25, 25-17, 15-11. (RSC)