UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas took the first step toward reclaiming the women’s crown as Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella dominated the third day of UAAP Season 88 beach volleyball to secure a spot in the Final Four Sunday at Sands SM By The Bay.
Pagara and Progella extended their perfect run to five matches after overwhelming University of the East’s Krisha Revilla and third player Smile Iquio, 21-15, 21-3.
The senior tandem had opened the day with a 21-11, 21-4 romp over De La Salle’s Mica Buis and Ela Raagas.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Defending champion National University also advanced to the Final Four as reigning MVP Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa overpowered Ateneo’s Gry Matibag and Liz Lomocso, 21-11, 21-12.
Cordero later teamed up with Kizil Quijote to beat De La Salle’s Raagas and third player Sophia Sindayen, 21-9, 21-14, improving their record to 5-0.
University of the Philippines stayed on track for a return trip to the Final Four as Jum Gayo and Kryssia Ornos overcame Adamson University’s Shai Nitura and Fhei Sagaysay, 23-21, 12-21, 16-14.
The Fighting Maroons now sit at 3-1 in third place, behind the Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs.
Far Eastern University’s Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez posted a 21-10, 21-10 victory over UE’s Van Bangayan and Revilla in the morning session to claim a share of fourth place.
The Lady Tamaraws, last season’s third placers, are now tied with the Blue Eagles at 2-2.
Meanwhile, the Lady Falcons fell to 1-3, and both the Lady Spikers and the Lady Warriors were eliminated from contention with identical 0-5 records.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
In the men’s division, seven-peat seekers UST advanced to the Final Four with a perfect 5-0 record as MVPs Alche Gupiteo and Dom Gabito defeated De La Salle’s Von Marata and Andrei Espejo, 21-13, 21-19, and Ateneo’s Gian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio, 21-14, 21-18.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
NU’s Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino also remained unbeaten in five matches, clinching a Final Four berth after besting Ateneo’s Salarzon and Pacinio, 21-19, 21-14, and UE’s Allen Buensalida and Edesson Lusaya, 21-9, 21-13.
In their lone matches of the day, FEU’s Christian Salboro and Reynan Postorioso toppled UE’s Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-7, 21-17, while Adamson’s Iverson Tan and Willie Hitones fended off UP’s Angelo Lipata and Zedrick Calimlim, 21-18, 21-19.
The Soaring Falcons and the Tamaraws are tied for third at 2-2, slightly ahead of the Blue Eagles, who dropped to 2-3 after back-to-back defeats.
The Fighting Maroons and the Green Spikers now sit at 1-3, while the Red Warriors remain winless in five matches and are out of Final Four contention.
Action resumes Friday at the same Pasay sand court. – TJ
