Photo from UAAP
MANILA, Philippines—University of Santo Tomas completed its second straight double in the sand courts after the Golden Tigresses and Tiger Spikers reigned supreme in the UAAP Season 82 beach volleyball tournament Sunday at Sands SM by the Bay.
The Golden Tigresses stretched their championship streak to four titles after Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor turned back De La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and Justine Nazareno.
Barbon, who claimed the MVP plum, and Eslapor dropped their lone set in the tournament in the first match, 21-14, 20-22, 15-12 but came out stronger in the closer 28-26, 21-18.
“It’s euphoric because we defended our crown,” said Barbon in Filipino who paired up with four-time beach volleyball MVP Cherry Rondina in her rookie year. “We offered this title to UST, to the people who believed in us, and of course to Ate Sisi.”
“She’s been a champion for so many years, she graduated a champion, so we have to continue that streak,” added Barbon.
The Golden Tigresses’ triumph in Season 82 was their seventh title.
In the men’s side, the Tiger Spikers swept last season’s runner-up Far Eastern University in the two championship matches.
Rancel Varga and Jaron Requinton took a quick 21-11, 21-11 win in the finals opener against the partnership of Jude Garcia and Doy Barrica and followed that up with 21-15, 21-19 smasher in the closing match.
“Jaron and I played consistently throughout the tournament and we offered this victory to UST, to God, and to our families and coaches who’ve supported us throughout,” said Varga, who claimed the MVP plum, in Filipino.