TIGER SANDS Alche Gupiteo and Dom Gabito reigned supreme to clinch UST’s historic seventh consecutive crown during the UAAP Season 88 men’s beach volleyball tournament on Sunday, Nov. 30.
UST overcame the NU Bulldogs pairing of Alex Iraya and Rain Gemarino in a finals rematch, 24-22, 21-17, to keep the dynasty alive at the Sands SM by the Bay in Pasay City.
This is the longest championship streak since the sport was introduced in Season 69.
Both squads traded haymakers in the opener that reached 19-all, but Season 86 MVP Gupiteo took control with five clutch markers — including the set-clincher — to win the extended first frame, 24-22.
The Tiger Sands then broke loose midway through the second set with a decisive 7-1 burst as Season 87 MVP Gabito fired back-to-back kills to send it to championship point, before Gupiteo hammered home the winning attack to secure the program’s tenth overall title.
Gupiteo, who is also a former member of the Golden Spikers in Season 87, snagged another Most Valuable Player plum in his graduating year after capping the season with a perfect 9-0 run.
The Tiger Sands are the winningest squad in both divisions with 20 titles combined. F
