Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Beach Volleyball

Tigresses one win away from UAAP sand throne


The University of Santo Tomas Tigress’ Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez made the most of their sweep advantage and overwhelmed the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws’ Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza in Game One of the UAAP Women’s Beach Volleyball Finals 21-17, 21-9 at the Sands SM by the Bay at the SM Mall of Asia grounds.

The Lady Tams had just avenged their Finals loss last year to the De La Salle University Lady Spikers, sweeping Tin Tiamzon and Kim Fajardo in their do-or-die match 21-17, 21-15 minutes before Game One of the Finals. FEU also played two matches yesterday.

UST, on the other hand, played just one match yesterday, defeating the Lady Tams to secure the elimination round sweep. The ladies from España went into Game One fresh.

But UST captain Cherry Rondina believed that their conditioning did not play a factor in their win.

“Ang FEU naman po kasi malakas ang [cardio] nila. Hindi sila basta-basta napapagod,” Rondina told Tiebreaker Times. “Sa totoo lang po, kinakabahan po talaga kami noong mag-start ‘yung game kasi nga Finals na. Hindi kami makapaniwala na nandito kami agad. Mabuti na lang po at nakapag-focus kami agad.”

The Tigresses did start slow, needing a timeout in the first set to settle their nerves after giving up a 1-6 lead to FEU. But, after the break, the Tigresses had full control of the rest of the match. Gutierrez cleaned up her reception, opening opportunities for Rondina to finish 1-2 plays or deliver crisp sets to Gutierrez. Rondina was her usual omnipresent self on defense, picking digs and quickly transitioning to strong attacks.

#ReadMore  Tin Ubaldo eyes V-League championship glory after last year's heartbreak

The Tigresses last won the title in Season 77 with the rookie pair of Rondina and Rica Rivera shocked spectators with an elimination round win and a decisive triumph over La Salle’s Kim Fajardo and Cyd Demecillo in the Finals.

Game Two will be tomorrow at 9 am still at the Sands, SM by the Bay.

Written By

Miguel Luis Flores fell face first into sports writing in high sch9l and has never gotten up. He reluctantly stumbled into the volleyball beat when he started with Tiebreaker Times three years ago. Now, he has waded through everything volleyball - from its icky politics to the post-modern art that is Jia Morado's setting.




You May Also Like

2025 AVC Women's Champions League

Nakhon Ratchasima QminC VC ended Creamline’s campaign in emphatic fashion, grabbing a straight-set 25-15, 25-22, 25-16 to secure a spot in the semifinals of...

DLSU

With major playoff implications on the line, De La Salle University’s twice-to-beat aspirations hung by a thread after they found themselves down 1-2 in...

AdU

De La Salle University, already assured of a 15th consecutive Final Four appearance, overcame a sensational 35-point explosion from rookie Shaina Nitura to pull...

News

University of Santo Tomas’ Em Banagua drew inspiration from her idol, Niña Ytang, during her breakout performance that powered the Golden Tigresses to a...

News

University of Santo Tomas slammed the door on University of the Philippines’ Final Four hopes via the backdoor, delivering a decisive 25-20, 25-21, 25-18...

2025 AVC Women's Champions League

Nearly two years ago, two-time Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball bronze medalist Bernadeth Pons took a leap of faith — trading the scorching sands...

News

University of the Philippines kept its Final Four hopes alive in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament with a stunning five-set victory over...

DLSU

With University of the Philippines’ Final Four aspirations hanging by a thread, the Fighting Maroons found timely relief in Joan Monares, rookie standout Kianne...

Advertisement