Nazareth School of National University and University of Santo Tomas booked the first two Final Four slots in the UAAP Season 82 High School Girls’ Beach Volleyball tournament, Sunday at Sands SM By The Bay.
The Lady Bullpups’ Kathrina Epa and Chantal Rodriguez bested De La Salle-Zobel’s Irah Jaboneta and Gerzel Petallo, 21-11, 21-13; then survived University of the East’s Chris Ann Susbilla and Dea Villamor, 22-20, 19-21, 15-13, to stay perfect in five matches.
The Junior Tigresses’ Vanessa Bangayan and Jullana Carreon carved out a 21-17, 21-17 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Nikka Medina and Mary Melony Amaro; then later ended their elims stint with 21-18, 21-10 win over Adamson University’s Mary Grace Borromeo and Ayesha Juegos.
UST tallied a 5-1 record.
Meanwhile, Epa and Rodriguez rallied from 4-8 and 8-11 deficits in the deciding set to turn back the hard-fighting duo of Susbilla and Villamor in the day’s most exciting match.
Aside from claiming the top two spots, UST and NSNU also secured the twice-to-beat bonus in the semifinals.
With Lorien Gamboa replacing Jaboneta to join forces with Petallo, De La Salle-Zobel hacked out a 21-14, 21-13 victory over FEU to move closer in making it to the semis with its 3-2 mark in third place.
The Junior Warriors, who earlier beat Ateneo’s Celina Vergeire and Ady Lasala in the morning session, 21-14, 21-14, fell to 2-3 card alongside the Baby Falcons in fourth spot.
The Baby Tamaraws took their fourth loss in five matches to miss the next round.
