UST nears UAAP women’s beach volley crown

MANILA—University of Santo Tomas moved a win away from tucking the women’s beach volleyball crown while its men’s team will try to complete a sweep Sunday in UAAP Season 74 at the University of the East-Caloocan sand courts.

Maru Banaticla and Judy Caballejo downed Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez and Bea Tan, 21-16, 18-21, 15-9, Saturday in Game 1 of the best-of-three women’s finals.

The Tigresses could go home with the crown if they repeat Sunday starting at 8:45 a.m., right after De La Salle and Adamson University clash for third place starting at 8 a.m.

The Lady Eagles streaked to a 4-2 lead in the third set but the Tigresses, who have never won the event, scored six unanswered points to bring the tide in their favor.

UST’s men, on the other hand, tangle with reigning champion FEU, whom they will face in a one-game finals also Sunday starting at 9:30 a.m.

Tigers Jayson Ramos and Mark Gil Alfafara beat Mico Lucindo and Sam Paquiz of UP, 14-21, 21-16, 15-8, in the first stepladder match then downed John Hendrix Competente and Gilbert Longevela of Adamson, 21-16, 13-21, 15-12.