THE UST Junior Tiger Sands secured a Final Four ticket after pulling off a 21-17, 21-16 victory against the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 86 girls’ beach volleyball tournament at the SM Sands by the Bay on Sunday, April 28.
UST remained atop the standings with a league-best 5-0 win-loss record, while FEU-Diliman dropped to 3-2.
FEU trimmed UST’s lead to two via a 4-0 run in the first set, 17-15, but the Junior Tiger Sands thwarted the Baby Tamaraws’ comeback and drew first blood after a kill block by Khylem Progella, 21-17.
UST preserved a five-point cushion in the second frame and sealed the deal, 21-16.
The UST girls will take a four-day break before their next game against Ateneo de Manila University on May 3.
“Sa magiging four-day break, sobrang magma-matter ‘yon, paghihirapan pa lalo sa training at i-improve ‘yong mental toughness ng mga bata,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras told the Varsitarian.
In the boys’ division, Junior Tiger Sands Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao demolished Ateneo’s tandem of Pax Berdos and Diego Avila, 21-6, 21-4.
UST rose to a 5-1 card tied with NSNU, FEU-Diliman and Adamson, while Ateneo slipped to 1-5.
“Magiging knockout ‘yong semis sa boys, kaya magiging sobrang challenging,” Doloiras said. “Medyo nakukuha naman na nila ‘yong way of things dito sa UAAP, titibayan na lang ‘yong puso at communication sa remaining games.”
UST will next face Adamson in the boys’ tournament on Friday, May 3.
