Perennial Final Four contenders Far Eastern University Tamaraws’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon, and University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers’ Anthony Arbasto and Jaron Requinton ticked 2-0 starts to begin their UAAP Season 81 Beach Volleyball journeys at the Sands SM by the Bay.
The Sand Tigers, last year’s runners-up, trumped Ateneo’s Abay Lenos and Kurt Aguilar, 21-11, 21-14, and La Salle’s Gerian Bacon and Raprap Sumalinog, 21-8, 21-11.
The Tamaraws, bronze finishers last season, shocked defending champions National University Bulldogs’ Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad, 25-23, 21-17, before bulldozing over UP’s Niccolo Consuelo and Mark Millete, 21-8, 21-13.
With both missing the championship last year thanks to NU’s rampage, FEU and UST know a good start to the season is important.
“Malaking bagay po kasi tingin ko po talaga nasa maganda kundisyon kami sa katawan at sa isip namin,” said fourth-year FEU spiker Jude Garcia.
“Sa amin alam namin na bawat laro dito sobrang importante para maganda ‘yung placing pati na rin para sa confidence namin,” concluded graduating UST attacker Anthony Arbasto.
The Bulldogs eventually got on their feet with a win over Adamson’s Pao Pablico and Jesus Valdez (21-16, 21-19).
UE’s Clifford Inoferio and Alven Aljas also went 2-0 beating Ateneo (21-14, 22-20) and La Salle (21-12, 21-12).
