THE UST Junior Tiger Sands remained undefeated after escaping the Adamson Baby Falcons, 21-14, 24-22, in the UAAP Season 86 girls’ beach volleyball tournament at the SM Sands by the Bay on Saturday, April 27.
UST’s duo of Khylem Progella and Cameron Villaluz took down Baby Falcons Shai Nitura and Fel Sagaysay to secure the solo top spot with a 4-0 win-loss record, while Adamson slipped to a 3-1 slate.
In the first set, the Junior Tiger Sands turned a 16-12 lead to a 21-14 victory with a 5-2 run.
After erasing a four-point deficit in the second frame, UST knotted the game at 19-all via 6-2 spurt. The set went to three more deadlocks before an attack error on Adamson’s side and a Progella roll shot sealed the deal for UST, 24-22.
Head coach Paul Doloiras said that the Junior Tiger Sands were able to tough it out until the last set despite knowing how formidable Adamson could be.
“Adamson ang kalaban namin sa championship last year kaya alam namin na magandang laban ‘yong game kanina,” Doloiras told the Varsitarian. “Puso lang ‘yong pinakita nila kanina buti na lang nakapitan ‘yong dulo.”
In the boys’ division, Junior Tiger Sands Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao cruised past UE Junior Red Warriors Jan Macam and Anhril Cuadra, 21-10, 21-19.
UST rose to a 4-1 card tied with NSNU, FEU-Diliman and Adamson, while UE dropped to a 2-3 record.
Doloiras said that the boys’ team needs to work on its maturity and communication to stay on top of the standings.
“Kailangan pa nilang maging mature sa laruan,” the coach said. “‘Wag matakot magkamali at higit sa lahat ‘wag tumigil ‘yong communication nila parehas kasi tahimik ‘yang dalawa kaya minsan nagkakaroon ng miscommunication sa mga play.”
UST will next face Ateneo in the boys’ tournament and FEU-Diliman in the girls’ tournament tomorrow, April 28, at the same venue.
