University of Santo Tomas’ Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon handily beat University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Justine Dorog, 21-12, 21-12, at the start of the UAAP Season 81 beach volleyball tournaments Monday at Sands SM By The Bay.
Rondina, the three-time MVP who is in her final year, worked hand in glove with her new partner Barbon to open the Tigresses’ bid for a third consecutive crown on a winning note.
It was a double victory for UST with its pair of Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton also making work of Ateneo’s Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos, 21-11, 21-14, in the men’s division.
The reigning men’s champion National University, however, wasn’t as fortunate as Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad dropped a 25-23, 21-17, decision to Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon.
In the other women’s duels, La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and Michelle Morente, the former Lady Eagle, recovered from a second set meltdown to beat FEU’s Ivana Agudo and Marianne Calinawan, 21-14, 20-22, 15-10 while NU’s Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho crushed Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, 21-11, 21-14, and Adamson University’s Hannah Nicole Infante and Gracelchen Ave downed University of the East’s Rhea Manalo and Lyen Shan Ritual, 21-14, 21-15