University of Santo Tomas won two matches to clinch the first Final Four berth in the UAAP Season 82 High School Boys’ Beach Volleyball Tournament, Saturday at SM Sands by the Bay.
UST’s Jay Rack dela Noche and Alexander Iraya made quick work of De La Salle-Zobel’s Andrei Espejo and Leinuel Crisostomo, 21-13, 21-19. They then returned in the afternoon with a 21-12, 17-21, 15-12 victory over NSNU’s Jann Mark Pijo and Reymark Reyes for a 5-0 record.
FEU-Diliman moved closer in securing a place in the semis, as Jerold Talisayan and Carl Cabatac defeated UP Integrated School’s Brett Borja and Miguel Castro, 21-14, 21-9; then Adamson University’s Jefferson Marapoc and Evander Novillo, 22-20, 21-14. The Baby Tamaraws rose to 4-1.
UE seized solo third at 3-2, with Francis Babon and JM Apolinario outlasting Adamson University’s Marapoc and Novillo, 21-15, 16-21, 15-12; then Ateneo’s Mikka Mendoza and Anjo Almadro, 21-6, 21-15. Almadro substituted Giulian San Juan in the first set.
Espejo and Crisostomo, who replaced John Lituania earlier in the day, were able to gain a split following a 21-3, 21-7 romp of the Junior Maroons. The Junior Green Spikers forced a four-way tie with the Bullpups, the Blue Eaglets, and the Baby Falcons in fourth spot at 2-3.
In the other morning match, NSNU downed Ateneo, 21-10, 21-15.
