Rebisco Volleyball League: USJR rallies for win over FEU

USJR rallies for RVL win over FEU

by rick olivares

It took five days but the University of San Jose Recoletos saved the best for last.

On the final preliminary matches before the semi-finals and classification matches of the Rebisco Volleyball League at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna, USJR coach Roldan Potot’s girls overcame a first set loss to Far Eastern University to win in three sets 22-25, 25-20, 25-15 and finish the round with a 2-3 slate.

“First time ng mga bata maglaro sa ganitong lugar na aircon at ganitong atmosphere. May livestream pa. Medyo nahirapan mag-adjust kasi malalaki rin ang mga kalaban,” said Potot. “No excuses but marami kami nasagap na experience na dadalhin namin sa Palarong Pambansa.”

FEU started the match with killer serves and stone wall defense at the net, but USJR’s two guest players from Ateneo de Cebu – Danielle Malazarte and Jennifer delos Santos – got them back in the match with some telling spikes from the service area and the open position respectively. Despite two telling turnovers by Cherrie Tagaod that prematurely derailed the first set comeback, USJR continued their momentum into the second and third set.

During the blitz that swung the game for USJR, Delos Santos fired four aces while Malazarte added four attack points that broke down FEU’s wall.

“It hasn’t been an easy tournament for us,” said Malazarte after the match. “I am glad that we seized the opportunity to get another win.”

Angeli Abellana led USJR with 10 points while Shiela Kiseo added 9. Malazarte and Delos Santos added seven apiece.

The win saw USJR go to 2-3 while FEU dropped to 1-4. Two of their losses saw them drop the match after taking the first set. The first time that happened was the tournament opener versus Hope Christian High School.

“It has been disappointing,” said FEU head coach Reynaldo Diaz. “All part of the learning process yan.”