MEN’S titleholder University of Santo Tomas and National University primed up to their much-anticipated Finals rematch after extending their perfect runs to 6-0 Friday in the UAAP Season 86 beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay.
Alche Gupiteo and reigning MVP Rancel Varga made quick work of University of the East’s Julian Celestial and Allen Buensalida, 21-8, 21-9, while James Buytrago and Alex Iraya, who have yet to drop a set this season, bested University of the Philippines’ Christian Pitogo and Gelo Lipata, 21-11, 21-12.
The Tiger Sands and the Bulldogs go at it at 10 a.m. Saturday, with the final elims rankings to be settled.
Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio went through the wringer before defeating Pitogo and Lipata, 15-21, 21-18, 15-8, and later clinched the third Final Four slot with a 21-16, 21-13 romp of De La Salle’s Andre Espejo and Vince Maglinao.
The Friday sweep allowed the Blue Eagles to raise their record to 4-2.
FEU’s Vincent Nadera and JJ Javelona stunned Espejo and Maglinao, 21-14, 21-14, in the morning session and later swept Adamson University’s Francis Casas and Dan Gutierrez, 21-9, 21-17, to complete the semis cast, tying Ateneo at 4-2.
With their fourth loss in six matches, the Fighting Maroons and the Green Spikers bowed out of Final Four contention.
The Soaring Falcons and the Red Warriors remained winless in six contests.
