UST sweeps UAAP beach volley titles

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas dominated the UAAP beach volleyball tournament with a sweep of the women’s and men’s titles yesterday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez powered the España-based squad to a fourth title with a 21-17, 21-10 romp over Far Eastern University’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza in the championship decider.

UST actually failed to complete a perfect season as it dropped Game 2, 21-17, 17-21, 13-15, earlier in day, but Rondina and Gutierrez bounced back strong and foiled the Lady Tams’ upset bid.

The Growling Tigers, on the other hand, fashioned out a 9-0 season sweep in their side of the event as MVP KR Guzman and Anthony Arbasto downed the hard-fighting Tamaraws pair of Jude Garcia and Jeremiah Barrica, 21-16, 21-16, in Game 2.

UST has now won three men’s championships, tying FEU and National University for the most number of crowns.

As a consolation for the Tamaraws, Barrica, who replaced Richard Solis at the start of the stepladder semifinals, was named the Rookie of the Year.

The triumph also ended the Tigers’ string of bridesmaids finishes the last three seasons.
UST banked on a strong start in the second frame of Game 3 as Rondina scored the first five points of the set and nailed the championship-clinching set.