Lady Cobras make women’s finals anew; USC to defend men’s title against UV

There was no stopping the Southwestern University Lady Cobras from barging into the finals for the fourth straight year as they routed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in straight sets in the semifinals of the 12th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the University of San Carlos gym.

The Lady Cobras of head coach Jordan Paca and team manager Ryan Aznar were determined from the get-go and played crisp volleyball all throughout in engineering a 25-19, 25-9, 25-17 win over their rivals.

The victory set up what is expected to be another titanic showdown between SWU and last year’s runners-up USC, which won over the University of San Jose-Recoletos, 23-25, 25-21, 25-10, 25-15.

Aznar said he is confident of the team’s chances of capturing the crown for the fourth straight year.

“We really are prepared to defend our crown in women’s volleyball. We’ve been preparing since the summertime after our stint in the Shakey’s V-League. The players have had only one mission in mind and that is to get our fourth straight crown,” said Aznar.

However, Aznar, who also serves as SWU’s athletic director, warned his troops against complacency especially after the Lady Cobras barely squeaked past USC in their lone elimination round match-up.  In that game, USC had match-point in the fifth set, 14-10, before SWU came back to grab the win.

“We almost lost to USC but our players’ composure and experience was a key factor in holding off USC,” he said.

In the men’s division, the University of the Visayas Spiking Lancers survived losing a 2-0 set lead and a 7-11 deficit in the fifth and final set to prevail over USPF and take a seat in the finals.

UV appeared headed for certain disaster until Clyve Tumulak and Nestea Beach Volley national champion Mike Abria churned out thunderous spikes to back out the 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 18-25, 21-19 victory.

UV will take on defending champion USC, which defeated USJ-R, 22-25, 25-19, 25-21, 25-11.