THE UST Junior Tiger Sands took home their second straight championship in UAAP beach volleyball after steamrolling the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the Season 86 finals, 21-15, 21-17, at the SM Sands by the Bay on Sunday, May 5.
UST’s duo of Khylem Progella and Cameron Villaluz completed an undefeated run after clawing Frenchie Premaylon and Love Lopez, 21-15, 21-17.
In the first set, the Junior Tiger Sands established a 17-13 lead and never looked back to seal the 21-15 set victory.
Tied at 11-all in the second frame, UST pulled away with a four-point barrage to gain an 18-14 advantage.
Constly service errors by the FEU-Diliman tandem secured UST the crown, 21-17.
“Sobrang saya namin sa naging outcome lalo na sa girls, kasi isang buong taon kaming nag-prepare para sa ligang ‘to,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
“Sa mga bata kasi namin, sobrang daling kumilos at gumalaw kasi nasa kanila na ‘yong skills. Kailangan na lang talaga ng guidance and support.”
UST’s Progella and Villaluz are both in their last playing years in the high school division.
In boys’ play, UST’s Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao bagged the bronze medal anew after overcoming Adamson Baby Falcons Tommy Castrodes and Brandy Clemente in three sets, 18-21, 21-13, 15-10.
“Sa boys, first time nila sa UAAP kaya nakakatuwa, mga baguhan ‘yan.”
Doloiras said UST’s high school rosters would undergo a significant revamp due to players graduating.
“Ngayon, magpapahinga muna kasi ilang buwan na lang college naman,” he said.
“Rebuilding talaga kami, kahit sa seniors. Hindi namin kung saan kami mapupunta, pero eventually, we will get the hang of it. We always will.”
