THE UST Tiger Sands stunned the defending champions NUNS Bullpups, 21-14, 13-21, 16-14, to capture their first-ever UAAP boys’ beach volleyball title at the SM Sands by the Bay on Sunday, Feb. 2.
Tiger Sands JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao were down 8-12 in the third set before mustering an 8-2 finishing run to turn back NUNS’ Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan and secure the historic victory.
“Walang nag-expect nito. Talagang puso lang ng mga players ang umiral sa laro,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
“Both of them are graduating na so siguro nakaapekto ‘yon sa mentality nila sa dulo kaya deserving talaga sila dito. Masaya ako na nakuha nila ‘yong championship bago man lang sila mag-college,” he added.
The Tiger Sands started strong, pulling away from a slim 11-9 advantage through a 10-5 run to take the first set, 21-14.
NUNS took control in the second set as it jumped to a 15-5 edge early before finishing the frame on Tan’s attack to force the decider, 21-13.
UST trailed for most of the final set until Malinao and Lagaran found their groove en route to the finishing run and Lagaran’s championship-winning block.
Lagaran was named the Season 87 MVP after becoming the team’s stabilizer throughout its unbeaten run this season.
“In terms of pagiging leader tapos composure sa court, si JM talaga ‘yong bumuhat sa amin. Grabe ‘yong atttitude niya, hindi sumusuko,” Doloiras said of Lagaran.
The Tiger Sands finished last season as bronze medalists, with NUNS securing the Season 86 title.
UST breezed past the FEU-D Baby Tamaraws in the semifinals, 21-7, 21-12.
