Cardinals, Lady Stags rule roost in NCAA beach volley
San Sebastian Lady Stags.
Mapua clinched a maiden men’s beach volleyball crown while San Sebastian made up for a disappointing campaign in indoor volleyball by copping the women’s title Sunday in the 91st NCAA tournament at the Boardwalk of Subic Freeport.
Philip Michael Bagalay and John Cuzon hammered out a stunning 21-19, 21-18 win over heavily favored Relan
and Rey Taneo, Jr. of Perpetual Help to give Mapua its first crown since the sport was added to the NCAA calendar 14 seasons ago.
San Sebastian star Grethcel Soltones made sure there was no heartbreak this time as she combined with Dangie Encarnacion to thwart San Beda twins Maria Jeziela and Maria Nieza Viray, 21-14, 9-21, 15-6.
Soltones and Encarnacion, who extended the Lady Stags’ domination of the event to a third straight season, were part of the San Sebastian squad that yielded the women’s indoor championsip to St. Benilde last month.
“It was unexpected. We were surprised ourselves,” said Bagalay in Filipino. “Entering the semifinals, we just decided to get respect and represent the school well.”
Given little chance to make it past the stepladder semifinals, the Mapua duo showed tremendous grit, ousting Lyceum and Emilio Aguinaldo College to reach the finals. Cedelf P. Tupas
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