THE UST Lady Spikers made history bagging their third-straight UAAP beach volleyball crown, while the Tiger Spikers reclaimed the title they lost last season as the tournament came to a cross last Oct. 7.
Four-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sisi Rondina and Season 80 Rookie of the Year Baby Love Barbon whipped De La Salle University’s Michelle Morente and Tin Tiamzon in Game 2 of the finals, 21-7, 21-16, to secure the title and cap their undefeated run at the SM Sands by the Bay.
UST became the first team in UAAP beach volleyball history to win three-consecutive championships in the women’s division.
The Lady Spikers also has the most tournament titles with six.
Leading 9-8 in the second set of Game 2, UST ignited a 12-8 blitz, capped by Rondina’s drop shot for the win.
“Wala naman masyadong naging pressure kasi sa simula pa lang, La Salle na talaga ang pinaghandaan naming team,” UST head coach Paul Jan Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
Rondina finished her last beach volleyball game for UST with 16 points while Barbon added 13 markers.
Rondina also bagged her fourth beach volleyball title and MVP award in five years with four different partners.
She first won the championship with Rica Rivera in 2014, Jem Gutierrez in 2016 and Season 79 Rookie of the Year Caitlyn Viray in 2017.
“Alam kong puwedeng makuha ng La Salle ‘yong pagkakataon na mag-champion and ayaw ko namang umalis at ibigay na lang ng ganoon,” Rondina said.
Rondina added it was a bittersweet celebration, knowing her journey on the UAAP sand court has ended. She finished her career undefeated in 19 games since 2016.
“Ganoon talaga, may katapusan talaga. Kung puwede lang na maglaro pa ako for UST, why not, ‘di ba? Pero wala eh, may limit talaga pero masaya ako kasi nakuha ko ang goal ko this year na mag-champion ulit, bonus na lang ‘yong sweep and ‘yong mga awards,” she said.
In men’s play, the Tiger Spikers redeemed themselves from last year’s heartbreak after sweeping the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in Game 1, 21-14, 21-16, before escaping in Game 2, 21-13, 22-24, 15-10.
Season 80 Rookie of the Year Jaron Requinton’s down-the-line kill in the deciding set sealed the title for UST.
“Nandoon kasi ‘yong willingness nilang dalawa na manalo at gusto talaga nilang mag-champion kaya tinrabaho nila ng mabuti at ‘yon ang nagdala sa kanila,” Doloiras said.
Requinton exploded with a game-high 33 points while men’s MVP Anthony Arbasto added 11 markers in his last UAAP beach volleyball game.
The Tiger Spikers are now tied with the National University as the winningest team in the UAAP with four championships.
