OVER the past half-decade, the UST Tiger Sands dominated the UAAP’s men’s and women’s beach volleyball scenes. Last season, UST secured its fifth and sixth consecutive titles in the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively, marking their eighth and ninth championships overall.
However, with the departure of veterans who were integral to their past successes, the fate of the Tiger Sands’s dominant reign now rests on the shoulders of a younger roster composed of rookies and sophomores.
Acknowledging the weight of the challenge facing the new group, UST head coach Paul Doloiras emphasized the need to temper expectations.
“Tempered expectations muna kami. Nag-champion kami (last year) pero inalis muna namin ang expectations para hindi na rin masyadong ma-pressure ‘yong mga bata. Kasi ngayon, puro bata yung players,” Doloras told the Varsitarian.
The women’s team will feature rookies Lorien Gamboa and Khylem Progella, last year’s high school beach volleyball MVP. They join Season 86 top rookie Sofia Pagara who, along with MVP Gen Eslapor, helped UST capture its sixth straight title in women’s play. Eslapor is no longer with the team.
Meanwhile, Season 86 MVP and Rookie of the Year Alche Gupiteo will be joined by his younger brother, Aldwin, and Dominique Gabito. The older Gupiteo and Gabito will banner the men’s team following the exit of Rancel Varga, who helped lead UST to its fifth straight men’s beach volleyball title last year.
With no more veterans on the team, Doloiras emphasized the importance of patience this season, especially as he navigates the inexperience of the new Tiger Sands.
“Kailangan talaga ng patience, lalo na sa babae, kasi parehas bata e. Pero, ‘yong level naman ng skills nila, mataas naman,” Doloiras said.
“Siyempre hindi naman palaging mananalo. So, kailangan one play at a time, one point at a time, one set at a time, tapos one game at a time, lalo na’t bata pa ‘tong mga ‘to. Kailangan pa nila matuto,” he added.
As they face new challenges this season, the Tiger Sands will rely on the team chemistry they built during the offseason, which included competitions in Bacolod City and the Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Laguna, where they finished ninth after competing against international teams.
Doloras also anticipates a tougher tournament format this season, as the UAAP has eliminated the twice-to-beat advantage for top-seeded teams after the elimination rounds. Instead, all playoff games will be knockout matches.
“Lahat puro knockout so importante ‘yong bawat game. Talagang kailangan namin tiyagain itong season na ‘to. Talagang medyo mabigat para sa amin as a defending champion,” he said.
“Mabigat pero masaya ‘yong challenge na haharapin ng mga players natin ngayon. Kaya, tignan natin kung anong mangyari sa UAAP.”
The UAAP beach volleyball tournaments will begin on Friday, Nov. 15, at the SM Sands by the Bay.
