INQUIRER Sports

THE CORE OF THE Liloan men's squad that triumphed in the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup are up to their old tricks again as they proved to be too overwhelming on their way to annexing the title in the Jiboren's Cup Volleyball Open at the Pasil Sports Complex.

Now bannering the Dindo Salon Exclusivz, the squad which was powered by eventual MVP Jonrey Sasing, gained some measure of vengeance on the University of San Carlos as they defeated the latter in the finals, 25-17, 25-14, 25-22. USC had earlier beaten Dindo Salon in the elimination round for their only loss of the tournament.

Aside from Sasing, who is also a member of the RP beach volleyball national squad, also garnering special awards were his teammates Clifford Cafe (best setter), Angellan Visoc (best attacker) and Roy Ulan (best server). The other special award winners were USC's Kenneth Bensig (best blocker) and Shane Cardoza (best libero).

Dindo Salon also went home with the P10,000 cash prize while USC settled for P7,500. The squad of John Patrick Caylo, which beat the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in four sets, 20-25, 25-23, 25-23, 26-24, got P7,500 for their troubles.

Meanwhile on the distaff side, the belles of USPF asserted their claim as one of the best squads in Cebu as they trounced Froilan Trading in a thrilling five-set finale, 25-22, 25-22, 18-25, 21-25, 15-12. At the helm of the charge was MVP Erika Verano who also got ample support from Honeylyn Ybarita (best setter), Loise Gabriel (best libero) and Diane Navaja (best server). Froilan got some consolation as their players, Julett Marikit (best blocker) and Genie Sabas (best attacker) got minor awards.

Third place went to USC as they beat Team Cebu City, 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 21-25, 15-13.