THE UST Tiger Sands booked their semifinals ticket after sweeping the UE Lady Warriors, 21-17, 21-12, in the UAAP Season 86 women’s beach volleyball tournament at the SM Sands by the Bay on Friday.
UST improved to a 5-1 win-loss record with one game left to play.
With UST already at set point in the first salvo, 20-14, Sofiah Pagara pulled off three errors that allowed UE to inch the gap. But Lady Warrior Krishna Revilla committed a service error that gave the Tiger Sands the first set, 21-17.
The Tiger Sands entered the second frame scorching hot, mounting a comfortable 10-point lead, 16-6.
However, the Lady Warriors scored four straight points to cut the lead to six capped by a Vanessa Bangayan service.
Tiger Sands team captain Gen Eslapor responded with a down-the-line kill to ignite a game-sealing 5-2 UST run, 21-12.
In men’s play, the Tiger Sands’ duo of Alche Gupiteo and Rancel Varga remained unscathed after demolishing Red Warriors Jake Abria and Allen Buensalida, 21-8, 21-9, in the morning match.
UST had a perfect 6-0 record with also one game left to play before heading into the Final Four.
“Ngayong parehong nasa semis na ang men’s at women’s teams, hindi namin sasayangin ‘to,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
“Pinaghandaan namin ‘yong laban namin bukas versus NU, sana lang ma-apply namin ‘yong naging scouting namin. Kailangan lang ma-execute nang maayos para makasecure ng win.”
The Tiger Sands will next face their National University foes tomorrow, Nov. 25, at the same venue.
