Easy opening-day victories for Santo Tomas spikers

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 UAAP Season 81 beach volleyball tournament on Monday at Sands SM By The Bay in Pasay City.

Rondina, the three-time Most Valuable Player in her final year, and new partner Barbon are eyeing to give the Tigresses a third straight crown and a sixth title in eight seasons.

It was a double victory for UST as its men’s pair of Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton also beat Ateneo’s Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos, 21-11, 21-14.

Reigning men’s champion National University, however, wasn’t as fortunate as Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad dropped a 23-25, 17-21 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 stopped Far Eastern University’s Ivana Agudo and Marianne Calinawan, 21-14, 20-22, 15-10, while National U’s Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho crushed Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, 21-11, 21-14.