The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers kept an unblemished record while last season’s champs Ateneo de Manila University failed in their repeat bid in the UAAP Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Sands SM by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.
Annual runners-up Tigers’ Kris Roy Guzman and Anthony Arbasto swept through powerhouse National University Bulldogs’ Fauzi Ismail and Madz Gampong 21-15, 21-14 in the morning then Adamson University’s Rence Melgar and JP Yude 21-12, 21-16 in the afternoon to stay on track for an elimination round sweep.
At 6-0, the boys from España insist on remaining focused for their last elimination round match against Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Richard Solis.
“Malaking advantage po talaga sa amin kung ma-sweep namin kasi may isa kaming araw para makapagpahinga sa Sabado bago lumaban sa Finals sa Linggo. Pero kailangan pa rin po namin mag-polishing and mag-focus para sa laro against FEU,” said captain Guzman.
“May ilang araw pa po kami bago ‘yung larong ‘yun kaya kailangan pa rin namin maghanda and mag-focus ng maigi,” added Arbasto.
The three remaining Final Four spots are still up-for-grabs with AdU, FEU, NU, and University of the Philippines still in the hunt.
UP’s Alfred Valbuena and Wendel Miguel swept through their two Day Three tied, first taking care of the then undefeated Tamaraws 21-18, 21-16 before breezing past Ateneo De Manila University’s Marck Espejo and Ish Polvorosa 21-15, 21-17.
The Bulldogs then handed the Tamaraws their second loss for the day in a tight 21-12, 18-21, 15-7. The Falcons also managed a to break even for the this straight day with a 21-13, 21-15 triumph over De La Salle University’s Cris Dumago and Wayne Marco.
FEU, NU, and UP are all tied at 4-2 while Adamson is at 3-3.
NU and UP will face-off, FEU takes on undefeated UST, while Adamson has the winless UE on Friday.
Set quotient will be used before point quotient for potential ties for Final Four eligibility or twice-to-beat advantages.
Ateneo fell out of the Final Four race with a 2-4 record.
UAAP Season 79 Men’s Beach Volleyball Day 3 results
October 3, 2016 – Sands SM by the Bay, Pasay City
UST 6-0
FEU 4-2
NU 4-2
UP 4-2
AdU 3-3
ADMU 2-4
DLSU 1-5
UE 0-6
