THE UST Tiger Sands continue to rule the UAAP men’s beach volleyball tournament, seizing their sixth straight crown at the Sands SM By the Bay on Tuesday, Nov. 26.
UST’s tandem of reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo and Dominique Gabito completed a season sweep as they shut down NU’s duo of Alex Iraya and Rookie of the Year Sky Gemarino in straight sets, 21-13, 21-15.
“We just [told both teams] to enjoy. But our players are still young so when the pressure gets to them, they might really break,” Tiger Sands head coach Paul Doloiras told The Flame.
The Tiger Sands exploited the Bulldogs’ erroneous start to take the first set, 21-13. The España squad then used sharp hits to finish off the Jhocson-based squad, 21-15 and seal the season 87 crown.
Gabito, who powered the Tiger Sands with 18 attacks in the finals, was named the season’s Most Valuable Player. Silver medalist Gemarino reaped the Rookie of the Year plum.
Streak ended
While the Tiger Sands managed to defend its crown, it was a different story in the women’s division, which saw NU snapping UST’s six-year-long championship streak in three sets, 21-16, 19-21, 15-11.
The duo of Sofia Pagara and rookie Khy Progella struggled to set up their offense in the opening frame as Lady Bulldogs Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa relied on heavy hits to taint UST’s perfect record in the season, 21-16.
UST’s Alas Pilipinas representatives found their rhythm in the swing set, maximizing NU’s errors to tie the game, 21-19.
But the Lady Bulldogs ultimately pulled away in the final frame after a 4-1 run to dethrone the six-peat champions, 15-11.
“They really gave their best. We were just not able to maximize our ball, so I think the win was really for NU,” Dolorias said postgame.
Cordera was hailed season MVP, while Progella snagged the Rookie of the Year award. F
