Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon made a statement before crashing into the Finals while University of Santo Tomas’ Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton slayed their perennial rivals in Day 4 of the UAAP Season 81 Men’s Beach Volleyball Tournament at the SM Sands by the Bay.
The Tamaraws flattened Ateneo de Manila University’s Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos (21-3, 21-5) to complete the elimination round sweep and claim an outright Finals berth.
Last making the Finals in Season 79, Garcia and Hadlocon lamented their hard-earned Finals ticket, a stark contrast from their tough road two years ago.
“Sobrang saya po naming tatlo kasi first time po namin ma-sweep itong UAAP,” said Garcia.
“Tapos ‘yun nga nakapasok na kami ng championship kaya ayun nga sobrang nakakagaan ng pakiramdam,” he added.
The stepladder formed with UST slaying defending champions National U’s Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad (30-32, 21-12, 15-13) for the second seed and a twice-to-beat advantage.
After suffering a heartbreaking loss to the same team in the finals last year, the Tigers were relieved to get a crucial over the Bulldogs.
“Kumbaga po kasi sa mga laban namin noong off-season, pantay lang kami sa mga resulta. Masarap po sa pakiramdan na nakakuha kami ng crucial na laban sa kanila,” said the graduating Arbasto.
Adamson University’s Pao Pablico and Jesus Valdez completed the Final Four cast after outlasting De La Salle University’s Gerian Bacon and Paul Serrano (21-18, 21-18).
Adamson faces National U in the first rung of the stepladder tomorrow morning. The winner takes on the twice-to-beat UST later in the day.
FEU awaits the survivor of that circuit in the Finals which begins on Sunday.
UAAP Season 81 Men’s Beach Volleyball Standings
FEU 7-0
UST 6-1
NU 5-2
AdU 4-3
UE 2-5
UP 2-5
ADMU 2-5
DLSU 0-7
