THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation spikers proved that they are serious title contenders by stunning last year’s runner-up, University of the Visayas in straight sets last night in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation men’s volleyball tournament at the Aznar Coliseum.
Motivated to return to the throne that they held not so long ago, the Spiking Panthers crushed the Spiking Lancers, 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.
With Edmar Bonono raining down powerful attacks past UV’s defense including that of the towering Mike “The Wall” Abria, a Nestea national beach volley champion, the wards of head coach Clifford Cafe raced off to a two-set lead.
But UV proved to be a tough nut as they remained within two, 14-16, in the third set. But Bonono came alive and anchored a brief three-point run for a 19-14 lead. UV last threatened at 21-23 but USPF ended claimed the last two points off a tip by John Ylanan and a crossing violation on Abria.
Meanwhile, the games continue today with the much-anticipated match-up between two former champions in the women’s division as the Southwestern University Lady Cobras battle the debuting University of San Jose-Recoletos Lady Jaguars.
In the girls division, Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu also makes its debut against the University of Cebu. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio