University of Santo Tomas successfully defended its UAAP Men’s Volleyball title, keeping it in Espana as tournament MVP Dominique Gabito and Alche Gupiteo led the Tiger Spikers to a six-peat and a ninth overall crown by sweeping the National University Bulldogs’ Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino, 21-13, 21-16, on Tuesday at Sands SM By The Bay.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“Nag-prepare po kami; halos isang taon rin po naming pinaghirapan ‘to. Kasi si Alche galing sa indoor eh. Ako, bago lang ako, first time ko lang maglaro sa MOA. Trinabaho talaga namin, and sakto naman ‘yung naging preparation namin bago kami sumalang dito sa UAAP,” said Gabito.
UST went undefeated throughout the tournament, winning all nine of its matches without dropping a set.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Gemarino was named Rookie of the Year.
In the battle for bronze, Far Eastern University’s Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso defeated the University of the Philippines’ Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo, 21-19, 21-13.
Gabito and Gupiteo had little trouble with Pitogo and Lipata in the Final Four, winning 21-15, 21-12, while Iraya and Gemarino overcame a tough first-set challenge from Bituin and Postorioso, eventually securing a 22-20, 21-16 victory. (TJ)
