Adamson University joined the University of Santo Tomas and National University in the women’s Final Four after sweeping its Saturday matches in the UAAP Season 87 beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.
The freshman duo of Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay faced a tough challenge but managed to defeat the University of the Philippines’ Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon, 15-21, 21-16, 15-12. Later in the afternoon, they shocked Far Eastern University’s Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez, winning 21-17, 21-17.
A three-time champion, last winning in Season 76 (2013) with Bang Pineda and Amanda Villanueva, the Lady Falcons secured their fourth win in six matches. Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws dropped to a 3-3 record, unable to sustain their impressive morning performance.
In the morning, Melody Pons, the younger sister of Bernadeth, put on a show, teaming up with rookie Lopez for a 21-15, 21-9 victory over Ateneo’s Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag.
The Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs are set for their much-anticipated Finals rematch after dominant performances that earned them perfect 6-0 records.
UST was in top form, particularly in the service area, as Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella defeated De La Salle’s Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 21-7, 21-10.
NU, despite a slow start, overcame Ateneo’s Lomocso and Gena Hora (who replaced Matibag before the match) with a 21-9, 21-13 victory.
In the final match of the day, Eslapor and De Leon kept UP’s Final Four hopes alive with a 21-16, 21-16 win over University of the East’s Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla.
The Fighting Maroons now have a 2-4 record, tied with Ateneo.
The Tiger Sands and Lady Bulldogs will clash at 7 a.m. on Sunday for the top spot in the eliminations.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
In men’s action, both UST and NU are undefeated with 6-0 records as they head into their 10 a.m. match on Sunday.
The Tiger Sands’ Dominique Gabito and Alche Gupiteo defeated UE’s Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-8, 21-9, while the Bulldogs’ Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino overcame La Salle’s Espejo and Marata, 21-16, 21-17.
FEU secured a spot in the Final Four after Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso triumphed over La Salle’s Andre Espejo and Von Marata, 21-10, 21-10, and University of the Philippines’ Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo, 21-17, 21-18.
The Tamaraws, a three-time men’s champion, improved to 4-2 overall.
UP’s Lipata and Pitogo, after defeating Ateneo’s JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 23-21, 21-16, earned a split and now sit at 3-3 in fourth place.
Adamson kept its hopes alive as Willie Hiltones and Iverson Tan defeated Ateneo’s Yu and Carl Corregidor (who replaced Pacinio in the third set), 21-17, 21-8.
The Falcons are now tied with the Green Spikers in fifth at 2-4.
Ateneo and University of the Red Warriors are out of contention, with 1-5 and 0-6 records, respectively. (TJ)
