NATIONAL University Nazareth School begins its bid for a second straight girls’ title, while University of Santo Tomas aims for a back-to-back championship in the boys’ division as the UAAP Season 88 High School Beach Volleyball Tournament kicks off on Friday at Sands SM By The Bay.
The Lady Bullpups’ tandem of Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao captured the crown last season after rallying past UST’s Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar, 18-21, 21-10, 15-8, in the Final — thwarting the Tiger Sands’ bid for a three-peat.
UST, however, secured its first boys’ title in Season 87, with JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao outlasting NUNS’ Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan, 21-14, 13-21, 16-14, to complete an unbeaten nine-match campaign.
NUNS opens its girls’ campaign against last year’s third placer Adamson University, which will have Maegan Pineda, Ellaine Gonzalvo, and Kristal Martin, at 7 a.m., before wrapping up its first-day assignments against UP Integrated School’s Nina Abad, Anya Callo, and Elisha Capus, at 3:30 p.m.
With Season 87 girls’ MVP Toos already graduated, Mangyao will take the lead for the Lady Bullpups, alongside Alaiza Candelario and Julia Candelario, who will make their beach volleyball debut.
Dadang and Del Mar, meanwhile, are eager to reclaim the crown for UST, with Jheliane Auxtero serving as their third player.
The Tiger Sands’ redemption tour in the girls’ division begins against FEU-Diliman at 7:45 a.m., followed by a clash with De La Salle-Zobel at 4:15 p.m.
In the boys’ division, UST will face Season 87 bronze medalist FEU-Diliman at 10 a.m., and De La Salle-Zobel at 5 p.m.
NUNS, determined to bounce back from last year’s runner-up finish, will take on Adamson at 10:45 a.m. and UPIS at 5:45 p.m.
With boys’ MVP Lagaran and Malinao having moved on, a new wave of Tiger Sands will step up, bannered by James Paul Apdian, Mark Ian Bihag, and Karl Melvin Escobal.
The Bullpups, on the other hand, will rely on Kian Tan — the lone holdover from last season’s runner-up squad — along with Ethan Jadraque and Ronnie Millian.
Other girls’ matches in the morning session feature UPIS against Ateneo at 8:15 a.m., and De La Salle-Zobel versus University of the East at 9:15 a.m.
In the boys’ division, La Salle-Zobel and UE will open the afternoon session at 2 p.m., followed by UPIS against Ateneo at 2:45 p.m.
After three matchdays from Friday to Sunday, the tournament will resume on Feb. 19. The final day of eliminations is scheduled for Feb. 20, while the semifinals and championship matches — both single-game affairs — will be held on Feb. 22. – TJ
