University of Santo Tomas is aiming for a third consecutive golden double in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate beach volleyball tournament, which kicks off on Friday at Sands SM By The Bay, despite the departure of key players from last year’s championship-winning women’s and men’s teams.
Last season’s women’s MVP Gen Eslapor and men’s standout Rancel Varga have graduated, but the Tiger Sands remain favorites in both divisions.
Sofiah Pagara, now paired with rookie Khy Progella, looks to continue UST’s dominance.
Their chemistry is already strong, having competed together for Alas Pilipinas in international tournaments, including the recent Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championship in Santa Rosa, Laguna, as well as various local competitions.
Last season, Pagara teamed up with Eslapor to capture UST’s sixth consecutive and ninth overall women’s beach volleyball title.
Progella, who helped UST secure the first two titles in UAAP high school girls’ beach volleyball, will make her collegiate debut this season.
On the men’s side, reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo is set to partner with Dominique Gabito as UST aims for its sixth straight and ninth overall men’s championship.
Last season, Gupiteo and Varga successfully defended the title.
UST’s women’s team will start their campaign against last season’s third-place finisher Far Eastern University at 7 a.m., followed by a match against Ateneo at 3:30 p.m.
For the men’s team, UST will debut against FEU, who also made the podium last year, at 10 a.m., before facing De La Salle at 5 p.m.
National University will be making another attempt to end its runner-up streak.
The Beach Bulldogs women’s team, led by Honey Grace Cordero, will face University of the Philippines at 7:45 a.m. and Adamson University at 4:15 p.m., while the men’s team, headed by Alex Iraya, will go up against Ateneo at 10:45 a.m. and UP at 5:45 p.m.
NU will miss key players Kly Orillaneda and James Buytrago, who have both completed their eligibility.
In other women’s opening day matches, Ateneo will face University of the East at 8:30 a.m., and Adamson will take on De La Salle at 9:15 a.m.
In the men’s division, De La Salle will clash with Adamson at 2 p.m., followed by UE against UP at 2:45 p.m. (TJ)
