MANDAUE CITY, Cebu—Behind Cesafi (Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Inc.) champion University of San Carlos’ (USC) impressive podium run in the 2025 Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals Cebu Leg was the leadership of former three-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and now Lady Warriors coach Grace Antigua.

Antigua, the former national team setter who won the SEA Games gold thrice in 1981, 1985 and 1987, and also has a runner-up finish from 1983, was proud of the Lady Warriors for showing their talent and fighting for school pride to win two of their three matches, including a five-set stunner on Ateneo, which was once UAAP’s top team.

A slow start in the first set didn’t stop USC from securing a podium finish in the Visayas leg of the SSL, fending off Cesafi rival University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 22-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-14, on Sunday in front of their home crowd at Mandaue Sports Complex here.

Antigua, who also played beach volleyball in the 1994 Asian Games, said she’s still learning as a coach despite her achievements and experience on the international stage as a national team player.

“Yes, I’m a national player, but I still treat this as a learning experience,” Antigua told the reporters in Filipino. “People might say I have a big advantage because of my experience, and that’s true to some extent.”

The Cebu-based tactician said her time as part of Alas Pilipinas coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s staff in the 31st SEA Games in Vietnam three years ago led to her break as a Cesafi champion and SSL podium finisher.

“I’ve had a lot of international exposure, and I was also an assistant coach under Coach De Brito during the SEA Games in Vietnam. That was a huge learning moment for me as well,” she said.

‘Big deal’

And one thing that she’s teaching her Lady Warriors after they became a trending topic on the heels of their 19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-13 upset of the Blue Eagles on Saturday night is to always keep their feet on the ground.

“Take it easy, just be humble, and take it with positive energy for our next Cesafi season,” she said.

USC was assured of at least a bronze medal with a 2-1 finish in the four-team, three-day Invitationals Leg 2 in Cebu.

If Adamson completes a three-game sweep in its ongoing match against Ateneo as of press time, USC emerges as the runner-up of the Visayas tournament.

“This whole experience is a big deal for us, and we’re really thankful that the Shakey’s Super League came here. It was a great event for our Cesafi season,” she said. “I see a [bright] future for this team, and I hope we can maintain this level and even do more, especially when the Cesafi games begin.”

USPF ended up winless in three games.

SSL wraps up its three-tournament National Invitationals in Luzon with UAAP’s Far Eastern University, NCAA champion College of St. Benilde and runner-up Letran and host University of Batangas competing on Aug. 29 to Aug. 31. INQ