University of Santo Tomas’ Jaron Requinton and Rancel Varga reasserted their dominance of National University’s James Buytrago and Pol Salvador, 21-16, 21-14, to power the Tiger Spikers to a fourth consecutive UAAP Men’s Beach Volleyball title at Sands SM By The Bay on Tuesday.
The league’s most successful program in the sport, UST hiked its men’s championship total to seven.
“Sobrang saya and thankful po kami sa mga coaches (Paul Jan Doloiras and Romnick Rico) po namin kasi sila ang nag-hubog ng talento namin. Kaya yung success po, sa kanila po talaga mapupunta. Sa mga coaches po namin,” said Requinton, who took the season MVP award.
“Kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanila, sa mahihirap na training na ginawa sa amin, hindi naman kami aabot sa championship at tsaka hindi namin makukuha ang five-peat at four-peat sa beach volleyball,” the national team mainstay added.
Requinton was also delighted to help the Growling Tigers win two titles in a span of a year, as they also defeated the Bulldogs in the Season 84 Finals last summer.
“Hindi ako makapaniwala na six months po yung agwat. Nakakapagod literal kasi sa national team, defender po ako pero pagdating sa UAAP blocker po ako. Malaking adjustment ang ginawa ko sa akin. Sobrang hindi ako makapaniwala yung mga nangyayari po kanina sa loob ng court para po sa akin,” he added.
Ateneo achieved its best finish since winning the men’s crown in 2015 as Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio turned back Far Eastern University’s Vincent Nadera and Jelord Talisayan, 24-22, 21-16, to secure the bronze medal.
Bacolod City pride Salarzon was named the Rookie of the Year.
