University of Santo Tomas reclaimed the women’s crown and saw its men’s team complete a seven-peat at the close of the UAAP Season 88 beach volleyball tournament on Sunday at Sands SM By The Bay.
Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella capped a redemption season with a 21-8, 22-20 triumph over National University’s Honey Grace Cordero and Kizil Quijote, finishing a perfect 9-0 campaign without dropping a set.
On the men’s side, Alche Gupiteo and Dom Gabito overcame a challenging first set before securing a 24-22, 21-17 victory over Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino, helping UST sweep NU and complete a golden double.
UST solidified its status as the most successful program in UAAP beach volleyball, winning a total of 10 titles across the women’s and men’s divisions.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
For Pagara and Progella, the victory was sweet redemption after last season’s heartbreaking loss, bringing the crown back to España.
The women’s final saw the Tiger Sands pull away from a 2-2 deadlock to dominate the first set. The second set hung in the balance, with Cordero forcing the last tie at 20-20.
Tournament MVP Progella then pushed UST to match point, and Quijote’s net touch violation ended NU’s hope of a comeback.
“Nawala yung tinik na dinamdam namin ng isang taon. Kasi sobrang sakit yung pangyayaring iyon,” Progella said, recalling last season’s Final defeat to the Lady Bulldogs.
“Iba yung feeling namin ngayon. Makakatulog na kami nang mahimbing. Ganoon na yung nararamdaman namin,” she added.
Earlier in the Final Four, Cordero and Kat Epa rallied from multiple five-point deficits in an extended third set to frustrate Far Eastern University’s Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez, 21-18, 16-21, 23-21, in a 66-minute match played under the scorching midday sun.
Pagara and Progella then cruised to a 21-10, 21-10 victory over University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Kryssia Ornos, securing UST’s eighth consecutive Finals appearance in the women’s division.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The men’s side saw UST extend its Finals streak to 12 seasons as Gupiteo and Gabito toppled Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio, 21-18, 21-14. Gupiteo also earned his second season MVP award.
“This is my third year, but I guess this is my last one. I’m thankful na nag-champion, na-defend yung title. Bonus na lang itong MVP,” Gupiteo said. “I’m thankful sa family, sa mga teammates, at coaches.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the other men’s semifinal, NU’s Iraya and Gemarino defeated FEU’s Christian Salboro and Reynan Postorioso, 21-14, 21-11, setting up the fifth consecutive Final Four clash between the Bulldogs and Tiger Sands.
There were still highlights for FEU, as Pons and Lopez claimed their third straight bronze by outlasting Gayo and Ornos, 21-18, 15-21, 15-4.
Ateneo secured its first podium finish since Season 85 (2022), with Salarzon and Pacinio dispatching Salboro and Postorioso, 21-16, 21-11, ending FEU’s streak of back-to-back third-place finishes.
University of the East’s Smile Iquio and FEU’s Salboro were named Rookies of the Year. — TJ
