The UST Tiger Sands made history in UAAP Season 88, becoming the first beach volleyball program to sweep the men’s, women’s, boys’, and girls’ championships in one season.
On Sunday, the Junior Tiger Sands secured the boys’ and girls’ beach volleyball crowns, cementing the program’s place in UAAP lore three months after the collegiate teams ruled the men’s and women’s divisions.
“Walang katumbas ‘yong panalong ‘to,” Paul Doloiras, head coach of all UST beach volleyball teams, told the Varsitarian. “‘Yong hugot sa laro, binitbit nila ‘yon. Noong natapos, nakita ko na binuhos talaga nila lahat. Nilaban talaga nila.”
Doloiras said there were late-season setbacks, including the Junior Tiger Sands’ loss in their final elimination game in the boys’ division against the NU-Nazareth School (NUNS) Bullpups.
Even though the game had no bearing since UST had already clinched a Final Four berth, Doloiras said it ignited the team’s push toward the high school championships.
“Nasubok ako. Hindi ako pinatulog ng pagkatalo namin sa last elimination game namin so nagising ang mga players at talagang blessed kami,” he said.
“More than the game preparation, hinugot namin sa pagiging ready mentally…‘Yong utak nila talagang papatay ng bola.”
In November, Doloiras steered the Tiger Sands to collegiate glory behind Alche Gupiteo, Dominique Gabito and Smael Salon on the men’s side, and Sofiah Pagara, Khylem Progella and Lorien Gamboa on the women’s side.
7TH STRAIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT FOR TIGER SANDS
WATCH: Alche Gupiteo seals the point that clinches the UAAP Season 88 men’s beach volleyball crown for the UST Tiger Sands, marking their seventh consecutive title in the men’s division. pic.twitter.com/9104KowErT
— Varsitarian Sports (@VSportsUST) November 30, 2025
The men’s team stretched its championship run to seven straight titles, while the women wrested the crown back from the National University Lady Bulldogs after their six-year reign ended in Season 87.
UST’s dominance at the collegiate level was clear, as the men’s team surrendered just one set in the entire tournament, while the women’s team completed a clean sweep of their matches.
The boys’ team — led by Karl Escobal and James Apdian, with Mark Ian Bihag as substitute — lost only one game in the tournament, while the girls’ team — composed of Grithney Dadang, Angelica Del Mar and Jheliane Auxtero — dropped just two sets and finished unbeaten.
The girls avenged their Season 87 defeat to NUNS. The boys, for their part, replicated last season’s breakthrough when they claimed their first-ever title.
“May motivation silang lahat manalo. Feeling nila kailangan talaga nila manalo para sa isa’t isa,” Doloiras said. “Sa girls, katulad ng mga ate nila, gusto nilang bumawi. Sa boys, gusto nilang may mapatunayan din sila tulad ng mga kuya nila.”
“Pinaghirapan nila lahat ng mga ito. Nakita ko kung paano sila nag-trabaho matapos gumising ng umaga. Lahat nag-tulungan,” he added.
Earlier in the season, Doloiras said the collegiate and high school tandems trained against one another more often in preparation for Season 88.
They also traveled to compete against provincial squads months before the season opened.
At UST, they practiced twice daily — in the early morning and late afternoon — mirroring the UAAP setup, where teams sometimes play twice in a day.
Doloiras said that tireless commitment throughout the program powered UST’s historic Season 88 run.
“Lahat ng tao sa team tumulong. … ‘Yong mga taong hindi nakikita sa court na kahit hindi naglalaro, malaki ang tulong sa amin,” he said.
For the program, the sand courts represent more than a venue — they symbolize UST’s stature as the nation’s beach volleyball powerhouse.
“Kaya gumanda ang skills nila kasi nandoon ‘yong enjoyment sa paglalaro, lalo na sa araw araw na pag-training. Naging masaya lang ‘yong lugar namin sa UST,” he said.
“Lalo pang naging masaya kasi na-coconvert sa panalo kaya ginaganahan silang mag-laro.”
Doloiras vowed to keep the momentum going and possibly elevate the team to even greater achievements.
“Tuloy tuloy lang kami. Naka-experience na kami ng panalo at talo. Marami pa rin na nakasupport sa amin. Ginagawa namin ito para sa kanila.” with reports from Miguel Angelo A. Marco
