UST’S beach volleyball teams captured back-to-back titles in the annual Nestea Beach Volleyball Tournament in Boracay yesterday.
The Cherry Rondina-Jem Gutierrez tandem swept the eliminations then defeated Dannah Quisado and Mary Asena of the University of Mindanao-Tagum, 21-14, 21-14, to snatch the gold medal.
Rica Rivera, Rodina’s previous partner, skipped the tourney because of an injury.
Rondina said she had a hard time adjusting with her new partner, but was nonetheless thankful they were able to work things out in the tournament.
“In-enjoy lang namin ‘yung laro and we’re blessed” Rondina told the Varsitarian in a text message.
“Noong umabot kami sa finals, sinabi ko kay Ate Jem na, ‘Thank you sa pag intindi and I’m proud of you.'”
Their male counterparts emerged on top as well, thrashing the University of San Jose Recoletos in the finals, 21-11, 21-18.
Kris Roy Guzman and Anthony Arbasto denied the Alaistar Gairanod-Kent Verbosidad tandem to claim the championship, making UST as the only school to win both titles in the same year.
Established in 1997, the Nestea beach volleyball tournament is the longest-running beach volleyball tournament in the Philippines.
