UAAP Season 77 champions University of Santo Tomas inched closer to an elimination round sweep while the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws remained in the hunt for a twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Women’s Beach Volleyball Tournament at the SM Sands by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.
With identical 3-0 records, UST’s Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez blasted the University of the Philippines’ Arielle Estrañero and Diana Carlos 21-14, 21-17 in the day’s night cap.
The Tigresses kept their undefeated record by scorching the Lady Maroons with their dynamic offense. UST leapt to a 17-11 lead in the first set then broke away from an 11-all tie in the following frame to take a 18-14 lead and secure the win.
“Siguro nag-focus lang po talaga kami. May mga bagay pa po kami na sinusubukang ayusin kaya wala pa po sa amin na nag-iisip na mananalo na kami dito o sweep. Basta kailangan every game, isipin namin ‘yung kalaban namin,” said UST team captain Cherry Rondina.
In their earlier ties, UST breezed past the defending champs Tin Tiamzon and Des Cheng of DLSU 21-15, 21-16 while UP rallied past University of the East’s Judith Abil and Angelica Dacaymat 21-16, 22-20.
FEU’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza secured a tie for second place with convincing wins; first defeating Ateneo De Manila University’s Michelle Morente and Kim Gequillana 21-18, 21-16 then clobbering the Lady Warriors 21-10, 21-14.
Ateneo, on the other hand, kept their record at even 2-2 with an uplifting 21-19, 21-12 win over Adamson University’s Jema Galanza and Bernadette Flora. The Lady Spikers also stayed within range of a Final Four berth with a 21-16, 21-16 triumph over National U’s Aiko Urdas and Roma Doromal.
NU, ADMU, and DLSU finished the day tied at fourth. FEU and UP had identical 3-1 records while UST secured first place with a 4-0 slate.
UAAP Season 79 Women’s Beach Volleyball Day Two results
October 2, 2016 – Sands SM By the Bay
UST 4-0
FEU 3-1
UP 3-1
ADMU 2-2
DLSU 2-2
NU 2-2
AdU 0-4
UE 0-4
