MANILA, Philippines – Defending women's champion University of Santo Tomas handed favored Ateneo a second straight loss as Cherry Rondina and Rica Rivera turned back Alyssa Valdez and Bea Tan, 21-18, 21-18, on Friday in the UAAP Season 78 beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.
Reigning MVP Rondina and Rivera were impressive with their well-placed shots and defense to help the Tigresses book their third straight win.
The setback put a dent to bid of the Lady Eagles, who opened the tournament with four consecutive wins, of advancing to the Final Four.
Ateneo dropped to 4-2 in a tie with UST and De La Salle, a 26-24, 21-13 winner over National University, from third to fifth spots.
Adamson University and Far Eastern University are now tied on top at 4-1 after beating their respective foes.
Mylene Paat and Jessica Galanza of the Lady Falcons downed the Lady Bulldogs' Jaja Santiago and Jasmine Nabor, 21-15, 21-16, while Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza of the Lady Tamaraws prevailed over Arielle Estranero and Vina Alinas, 21-10, 19-21, 15-8.
In the men's division, the Blue Eagles' Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan moved closer in clinching an outright Finals berth with thrice-to-beat bonus by beating the Growling Tigers' Kris Roy Guzman and Anthony Arbasto in a duel of unbeaten teams, 19-21, 21-18, 15-10.
Extending its perfect run to six matches, Ateneo can nail the first championship berth with a thrice-to-beat advantage with a victory over University of the East in the final day of eliminations at 9 a.m. today.
Despite the loss, UST, tied with NU in second spot at 5-1, is already assured of a spot in the semifinals.
The Bulldogs' Bryan Bagunas and Madzlan Gampong made quick work of the Green Spikers' Levin Dimayuga and Carlo Sendo, 21-18, 21-12.