FOR the third season in a row, the Southwestern University (SWU-Phinma) Cobras have shown that they’re the top men’s collegiate volleyball team in this side of the country.
The Cobras completed a three-peat after sweeping the University of San Carlos (USC) Warriors, 25-27, 25-17, 25-21, 25-18, in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship series in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday night, Nov. 23, 2019, at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation gym.
USC pulled off a gutsy first set, stunning the SWU-Phinma with a 27-25 score. But the Cobras were quick to recover as they asserted their mastery by winning the next three sets in a commanding fashion to extend their Cesafi reign.
Mark Kevin Petancio, the grandson of former national player Thelma Datig, once again proved that he’s the king among the Cobras after winning his third Most Valuable Player (MVP) award with SWU and fourth overall in Cesafi. He won his first MVP award when he still played with the University of San Jose-Recoletos.
Petancio said he did not think about the individual award, what he wanted was to win the three-peat for the team.
“I’m so happy that all our efforts and the sacrifices of every team member and coaching staff paid off. We are very thankful for the support from the Cobras community,’ he said.
The men’s championship game was delayed for about an hour and a half since there were no referees for the match.
Kareem Datig, who officiated the women’s Game 2 between eventual champions University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars and SWU-Phinma, opted not to officiate in the men’s championship since Petancio of SWU is his nephew.
The other referee, Rolando Pepito, also opted not to officiate out of respect for USC head coach Grace Antigua.
The championship game finally started at 4:30 p.m. with Jessie Yongco and Norvie Labuga officiating the game. (RSC)