Photo by UAAP
UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and National University remained perfect in three women's matches posting contrasting victories in the UAAP beach volleyball tournament Saturday at the Sands SM By The Bay.
The seven-peat seeking Tiger Sands overpowered University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia De Leon, 21-6, 21-14, as the much-heralded pair of Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella, whose championship in the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour Sipalay leg was part of their build-up, continue to put up a show.
Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa displayed tremendous composure as the Lady Bulldogs rallied from behind in both sets to beat Far Eastern University's Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons, 21-18, 21-18.
Adamson moved up to 2-1 to stay within reach of UST and NU, as prized rookies Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay rebounded from a first set loss to beat University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 19-21, 21-6, 15-8, in the match capped with MOA fireworks at the background.
Ateneo defeated La Salle in their rivalry match, as Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag topped Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 22-20, 21-18, to check a two-match slide.
Eslapor and De Leon overcame a late stand by Sindayen and Raagas in the second set to emerge triumphant, 21-17, 23-21, in the afternoon, sending the Lady Spikers to 0-3.
The Lady Tamaraws were able to savage a win in the morning session as Lopez and Pons prevailed over Bangayan and Revilla, 21-17, 21-17, tying the Fighting Maroons, the Blue Eagles and the Lady Warriors at 1-2.
Men's titleholders UST and NU, meanwhile, also posted straight-set wins to move up to 3-0.
Dominique Gabito and reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo downed Ateneo's JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 21-13, 21-19, to protect the Tiger Sands' perfect record.
Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino sustained the Bulldogs' undefeated run by sweeping FEU's Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, 21-11, 21-15.
UP's Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo rebounded from Friday night's loss to NU repulsing by Adamson's Marc Paulino and Willie Hiltones, 21-13, 21-18. The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-1.
In other men's morning fixtures, Bituin and Postorioso gave the Tamaraws their first victory by sweeping the Falcons' Paulino and Hiltones, 21-9, 28-26. La Salle halted a two-match skid as Andre Espejo and Von Marata bested UE's Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-16, 21-15.
Yu and Pacinio returned in the afternoon by giving the Blue Eagles a split in the second day by repulsing the Red Warriors' Buensalida and Celestial, 21-9, 21-7.
The UAAP postponed the Sunday's fixtures due to Super Typhoon Pepito. The league will make an announcement regarding the make-up date.
