Photo by UAAP
WOMEN's holders University of Santo Tomas and National University continued their unbeaten run to secure the two Final Four slots Friday in the UAAP beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay.
National team mainstays Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella turned back Adamson's Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay, 21-12, 21-10, and University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-5, 21-14, as the seven-peat seeking Tiger Sands rose to 5-0 in the tournament.
Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa also gave the Lady Bulldogs a fifth straight victory, defeating UE's Bangayan and Revilla, 21-11, 21-17, and La Salle's Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 21-10, 21-8, in the process.
On Saturday, UST and NU will take on La Salle and Ateneo, respectively, before their Finals rematch at the end of elims on Sunday.
Meanwhile, reigning men's titlist UST and NU also advanced to the Final Four after improving to 5-0 this season.
The Tiger Sands' Dominque Gabito and Alche Gupiteo remained perfect after tripping UP's Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo, 21-14, 21-10, and Adamson's Willie Hiltones and Iverson Tan, who replaced first player Marc Paulino prior to early evening match, 21-15, 21-14.
Not to be outdone are the Bulldogs' Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino, who topped Adamson's Paulino and Willie Hiltones, 21-11, 21-12, and UE's Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-14, 21-10.
The Lady Falcons, who prior to yesterday was in solo third, absorbed their second loss in four matches.
Far Eastern University and Ateneo posted important wins to bolster their bids for the two remaining Final Four berths to tie Adamson in third spot at 2-2.
The Lady Tamaraws' Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons swept the Lady Spikers' Sindayen and Raagas, 21-12, 21-17, while the Blue Eagles' Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag bucked a second set loss to beat University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon, 21-12, 16-21, 15-11.
The Fighting Maroons and the Lady Warriors dropped to 1-3 and 1-4, respectively. La Salle, meanwhile, stumbled to 0-5.
FEU, La Salle and UP are locked in a tight battle for the last two Final Four spots after ending the day with similar 2-2 records.
The Tamaraws' Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso defeated UE's Buensalida and Celestial, 21-12, 21-17, while the Green Spikers' Andre Espejo and Von Marata outlasted Ateneo's JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 17-21, 21-14, 15-13.
The Blue Eagles fell to 1-3, while the Falcons slipped to 1-4. The Red Warriors remained winless in five matches.
Prior to their championship rematch on Sunday, UST and NU will play UE and La Salle, respectively, on Saturday.
