CENTRAL Philippine University dominated the 2018 Iloilo PRISAA Meet secondary volleyball by taking home the girls and boys titles at the CPU gym.
CPU extended to 17 years its dominance in secondary girls after defeating Ateneo de Iloilo 25-21, 25-13, 25-14 in a do-or-die match Monday afternoon.
It was a seesaw battle early in the opening set, with Ateneo holding on to a 20-19 lead. CPU then scored 5 straight points for a 24-19 lead. Ateneo then came to within three but a booming hit from CPU ended the set.
In the second set, CPU immediately surged and went up 19-7. Ateneo came to within a single digit but CPU raised the lead further to 22-12 and never looked back.
CPU pounced on the erratic plays of Ateneo in the third set for a 12-3 advantage. More points from allowed the team to build its largest lead at 12 points.
Earlier that day Ateneo scored a 25-20, 25-22, 25-23 upset against the twice-to-beat advantage holder CPU – forcing the do-or-die match.
Among CPU players were Railyn Alcarde, Kristine Ancheta, Athea Aposaga, Henia Vee Celiz, Clarisse Cordero, Beaterese Destao, Yssa Jaruda, Arianne Ken, Yvonny Pajarito, Josline Salazar, Trixie Sampiano, and Cris Ann Susbilla.
In the boys category, CPU claimed its sixth straight title after a 30-28, 25-19, 23-25, 25-22 win over John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University in a do-or-die final round.
John B. stretched the competition to a winner-take-all match after stunning CPU in the first game Monday morning 25-22, 25-17, 27-25./PN
