Cebu guzzles Nestea

By Mike T. Limpag

BORACAY—The University of Southern Philippines (USPF) and the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) didn’t expect to figure prominently in the Nestea Fit Beach Volleyball National Finals after finishing third in the Visayas eliminations.

They ended up anchoring a Cebuano sweep of the men’s and women’s titles yesterday to earn P100,000 each.

For good measure, the University of the Visayas (UV) salvaged third place in the men’s division with a 19-21, 21-14, 15-11 win over the Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

USPF, coached by Thelma Datig, banked on Erika Verano’s courage and 17-year-old Apple Saraum’s maturity for a 21-17, 23-21 win over Luzon champion Adamson University (ADU) in the women’s final.

From 11-10 in the first, USPF, which defeated Visayas champion University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, 21-17, 29-17, in the semis, posted a 15-11 lead and kept at least a two-point lead.

Saraum’s block got them to 20-17, while Verano ended the set in 15 minutes with an ace.

“I just told them to play. Not to pressure themselves and to use their common sense,” said Datig after her team lost a seven-point lead in the second set.

Sweep

Datig, who just aimed for a top four finish, now has four national titles—three with her previous team, Southwestern University (SWU).

Verano ignored her injured ankle and her quickness in getting from defense to offense had USPF up, 14-8, before a series of errors and Lizlee Ann Gata’s spikes had ADU up, 16-17.

The teams caught up at 19-all and until 21-all before Angela Benting’s spike went long and Saraum found an open spot for their hard-earned 23-21 win.

“At first, I was really pressured but I just tried to stay calm and to perform what I was supposed to do,” said Saraum. The newbie started teaming up with Verano in beach volleyball just two months ago.

After the Cebuanas, it was USJ-R’s turn and they too won in straight sets over defending champion Foundation University (FU), 21-14, 21-17.

Arnel Amadeo started strong for FU as he forced a 2-2 tie with a powerful spike and an even stronger block of Ariel Carumba, and punctuating it with a glare at the Cebuano.

Amadeo would pay for that insolence in the second set.

From 5-5, the Cebuanos banked on Loujie Tipgos cheeky tips to the baseline and open area as they slowly began to break away to take the first set, 21-14, in 15 minutes.

“Wa mi nagpadala sa ila power, amo lang gi hinayhinayan (We didn’t get overwhelmed by their power, slowly we fought),” said Carumba.

Pressure

Things got more competitive in the second set with USJ-R holding a 17-15 lead. Another signature tip from Tipgos made it 18-15, while Carumba won the battle at the net for 19-15. FU cut the lead, 19-17, and a quick point from Carumba made it 20-17.

At match point, the Cebuanos showed their never-say-die spirit, scrambling near the net post to extend a rally. Carumba sent the ball to an open spot but Amadeo managed to save it.

However, his partner wasn’t paying attention and the ball landed harmlessly at their side.

This time, Amadeo glared at Sayson as their title retention bid ended on an error.