Avenging their heartbreaking last season, University of Santo Tomas’ Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton put on a display stamina and grit to unseat erstwhile defending champs National University’s Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad (24-22, 21-15) and enter their sixth straight UAAP Men’s Beach Volleyball Finals.
The Tigers did not need their twice-to-beat incentive to handle the Bulldogs, who needed to beat Adamson University’s Pao Pablico and Jesus Valdez (21-13, 21-16) to advance in the stepladder semis.
National U had the chance to take the first set against UST, leading 20-18. A Requinton hit followed by Natividad error, however, extended the match. From there, the Tigers made all the clutch plays, including the transition Requinton hit to clinch the set.
UST quickly took charge of the second set, grabbing a 14-9 lead. NU tried to mount a comeback, but met an immediate UST response each time.
Conquering their tormentors from last year, UST set their eyes on toppling the unbeaten Far Eastern University pair of Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon.
“Masarap po sa feeling na makapasok sa Finals pero, siyempre, ang goal pa rin namin dito is makuha ‘yung championship,” said the graduating Arbasto.
“Kailangan ready kaming ilabas lahat ng pinaghirapan namin bukas sa FEU,” the former UAAP champion added.
The Finals will begin tomorrow, 8:00am, at the same venue.
