UST Junior Tiger Sands captured two championships and one bronze medal in the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) Youth Tournament on Sunday, July 26, in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The strong finish gave UST’s beach volleyball program an early boost as it integrates a new crop of recruits while looking to sustain its dominance in the UAAP.
“Nakakita ako ng mga potential na players na magagamit long-term sa program namin sa beach volleyball,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
“Gusto ko talaga silang makitang maglaro, paano sila gumalaw, paano magdesisyon, ano ‘yung characteristics nila sa tournament para pagbalik ng training, alam ko ang gagawin kong training program para sa kanila.”
JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao of UST Team 2 claimed the U18 boys’ title after beating National University’s Ethan Jadraque and John Emanuel Roda, 22-20, 21-14, in the championship match.
UST Team 1 also earned a podium finish as Wensjuban Cadayona and incoming Grade 9 recruit Bon Morillo swept UPAC Riders’ Terrence Yeung and Kian Kleiss, 21-6, 21-9, to secure third place in the same division.
In the U14 girls’ division, Karlyn Progella and incoming Grade 8 recruit Jeshylle Sulampid cruised past Core’s Rhanna Silva-Netto and Daniel Reyes, 21-6, 21-10, to deliver another championship for UST.
Another Tiger Sands tandem, Reanna Vergino and incoming Grade 11 recruit Ashanti Buray, reached the U18 girls’ quarterfinals before conceding their match after Vergino suffered a shoulder injury.
Doloiras said tournaments like the BVR Youth event play a key role in building the confidence of the team’s younger players as UST continues its rebuilding effort.
“Importanteng liga ‘yon para magkaroon ng tiwala sa sarili ang susunod naming players kasi rebuilding talaga kami ngayon,” he said.
Lagaran and Malinao’s title run also comes at an important time for the Tiger Sands following the graduation of team captain Alche Gupiteo.
Their promotion to the senior squad gives UST additional depth alongside veteran Dominique Gabito as the team gears up for the UAAP season.
Meanwhile, Progella is continuing her family’s beach volleyball legacy as the younger sister of national team standout and UAAP Season 88 women’s beach volleyball champion and Most Valuable Player Khy Progella.
Morillo, Buray and Sulampid were among the newcomers who made their tournament debuts for the Tiger Sands.
