National University captured two UAAP championships over the weekend after dominating the men’s side of beach volleyball and badminton.
Banking on the winning tandem of Josephenry Tipay and Edwin Tolentino, the Bulldogs bagged their third straight beach volleyball crown after repulsing University of Santo Tomas, 19-21, 21-18, 17-15, in the deciding Game 3 of the Finals at the sand courts of UE Caloocan.
In women’s action, UST turned back La Salle, 21-15, 21-11, to cop its third beach volleyball championship in four years.
“Great exit,” said Tipay, the season MVP who was playing on his final year. “We had very good team chemistry.”
With Tipay and Tolentino, the Bulldogs tied Far Eastern University for the most number of crowns in the sport.
In men’s badminton, the Bulldogs completed a 9-0 season sweep to clinch their second championship in three seasons.
Led by Joper Escueta and Peter Magnaye, the Bulldogs again scored a 3-0 shutout of La Salle in Game 2 of the Finals at Rizal Memorial Badminton Hall.
Escueta, who won his second season MVP plum, overwhelmed EJ Boac, 21-11, 21-11, in the opening singles, while Magnaye tripped John Kenneth Monterubio, 21-18, 21-17, in the second singles.
The tandem of Escueta and Magnaye also proved too much for La Salle’s Carlos Cayanan and Gerald Sibayan, 21-8, 21-10, in the first doubles to secure win for the Bulldogs.
In the title opener, the Bulldogs also carved out a 3-0 rout of the Archers, who disposed of last year’s champion Ateneo in the stepladder semifinals.
NU’s Alvin Morada earned the Rookie of the Year honor, while mentor Jojo Mance clinched the Coach of the Year award.