National University Nazareth School and University of Santo Tomas made history in the UAAP high school beach volleyball tournament, clinching their first-ever championships in the girls’ and boys’ divisions, respectively, on Sunday at Sands SM By The Bay.
Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao led the Lady Bullpups to their maiden crown with a thrilling comeback win over UST’s Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar, 18-21, 21-10, 15-8.
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Meanwhile, JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao powered the Tiger Sands to their breakthrough boys’ title after outlasting NUNS’ Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan, 21-14, 13-21, 16-14.
UST appeared poised for a girls’ three-peat after taking the opening set, but the Lady Bullpups mounted a stunning reverse sweep, dominating the next two frames to cap an undefeated seven-match season.
Season MVP Toos and Mangyao mirrored the achievement of NU’s women’s beach volleyball team, which also secured its first UAAP championship against UST in a three-set thriller last November.
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”Masaya po kasi marami kaming struggles for the past year. For example po, hindi kami umuwi for Christmas at New Year para mag-train, ‘yun po ‘yung naging drive namin para mag-champion,” said Toos.
The Lady Bullpups also bested the Tiger Sands in the elimination round.
In the boys’ final, Lagaran and Malinao overcame a 12-8 deficit in the deciding set, staging a gutsy comeback to deny NUNS back-to-back crowns. The Tiger Sands completed a perfect nine-match campaign en route to their historic title.
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“Masaya po kasi para rin po ‘to sa coaches namin, sa mga ate at kuya namin na tumulong sa’min sa training, na finally may binigay na kami sa kanila. Para na rin ‘to sa school ‘tong panalo namin na pinaghirapan namin talaga,” said Lagaran, who was also named tournament MVP.
Adamson secured its second straight bronze in the girls’ division as Ella Gonzalvo and Meagan Pineda swept Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Sheena Cafe and Aleah Devosora, 21-17, 21-12.
With the Baby Falcons leading 11-5 in the second set, Devosora subbed in for Sheila Pascual, but the Baby Tamaraws fell short of a podium finish.
FEU-D clinched third place in the boys’ division, as Zedrick Calimlim and Tyler Ramos edged Adamson’s Brice Malinao and Gian Ygot in a hard-fought match, 22-20, 19-21, 15-13. The Baby Tamaraws avenged their elimination round reverse sweep loss to the Baby Falcons.
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During the semifinals, NUNS’ Toos and Mangyao dominated Adamson’s Gonzalvo and Pineda, 21-9, 21-15, while UST’s Dadang and Del Mar needed three sets to defeat FEU-D’s Cafe and Pascual, 21-17, 16-21, 15-6.
“Noong nag-start, feeling namin kaya namin yung sweep. Pero nung nag-start na ‘yung (final) game, parang OMG, baka hindi namin kayanin. Pero nag-strive lang kami, nag-pray lang kami, para makamit namin ‘to. Masarap pala sa feeling na makamit mo ‘yung pinaghirapan mo,” shared Toos.
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UST’s Lagaran and Malinao secured their finals berth with a dominant 21-7, 21-12 win over FEU-D’s Calimlim and Sam Coronel, while NUNS’ Dionela and Tan advanced after sweeping Adamson’s Malinao and Ygot, 21-12, 21-16.
“Ingatan po sana ng mga susunod sa’min and enjoy lang dapat ‘pag beach volleyball,” Lagaran reminded future players.
Gonzalvo was named Rookie of the Year, duplicating her indoor volleyball accolade, while De La Salle-Zobel’s Luis Papa earned the top rookie honor in the boys’ division. (TJ)
