Photo by UAAP
ADAMSON joined University of Santo Tomas and National University in the women's Final Four after sweeping its Saturday matches in the UAAP beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.
The young duo of Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay went through the wringer before nipping University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon, 15-21, 21-16, 15-12, and returned in the late afternoon with a 21-17, 21-17 reversal of Far Eastern University's Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez.
A three-time champion who last ruled the event in 2013 behind Bang Pineda and Amanda Villanueva, the Lady Falcons chalked up their fourth win in six matches.
The Lady Tamaraws, who dropped to 3-3 slate, failed to sustain their impressive morning performance.
Pons, the younger sister of Bernadeth put up a show, teaming up with rookie Lopez in a 21-15, 21-9 conquest of Ateneo's Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag.
The Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs primed up to their much-anticipated Finals rematch today after a short work of their respective foes for a perfect 6-0 record.
UST was in the zone in the service area in the first set and Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella sustained their dominance in the second set to beat La Salle's Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 21-7, 21-10.
NU brushed off a slow start before Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa imposed their will over Ateneo's Lomocso and Gena Hora, who replaced first player Matibag prior to the match, 21-9, 21-13.
The Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs clash for the right to become the No. 1 team in the eliminations at 7 a.m. Sunday.
In the final match, Eslapor and De Leon kept UP's Final Four hopes alive after beating University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-16, 21-16. The Fighting Maroons are now level with the Blue Eagles at 2-4.
UST and NU's men's squads, for their part, are also undefeated in six matches heading into their 10 a.m. duel Sunday.
The Tiger Sands' Dominique Gabito and Alche Gupiteo repulsed UE's Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-8, 21-9, while the Bulldogs' Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino subdued La Salle's Espejo and Marata, 21-16, 21-17.
FEU secured a place in the Final Four as Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, who disposed La Salle's Andre Espejo and Von Marata, 21-10, 21-10, and University of the Philippines' Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo, 21-17, 21-18.
The Tamaraws, a three-time men's champion whose highest finish was second place in 2019 behind Jude Garcia, improved to 4-2 overall.
UP's Lipata and Pitogo, who defeated Ateneo's JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 23-21, 21-16, to earn a split, now have a 3-3 card in fourth spot.
Adamson kept its hopes alive as Willie Hiltones and Iverson Tan turned back Ateneo's Yu and Carl Corregidor, who took over from first player Pacinio prior to the third set, 21-17, 21-8. The Falcons are now tied with the Green Spikers in fifth at 2-4.
The Blue Eagles and the Red Warriors are already out of running with 1-5 and 0-6 slates, respectively.
