Tigresses, Lady Bulldogs keep beach volley run

MANILA, Philippines — University of Santo Tomas and National University sustained their charge as they swept two matches to stay on top in the UAAP Season 81 beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay yesterday.

Reigning MVP Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon bested Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, 21-9, 21-15, before returning in the afternoon session with a 21-14, 21-14 victory over La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and Michelle Morente to extend the defending two-time women’s champions’ unbeaten run to three games.

NU rookies Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho topped University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Justine Dorog, 21-19, 21-10, and University of the East’s Rhea Manalo and Lyen Shan Ritual, 21-15, 21-15, for their third consecutive win.

In the men’s division, Far Eastern U’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon repulsed UST’s Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton, 21-19, 21-18, for a 3-0 card.

Reigning titlist National U continued its rise from a shock opening day loss with MVP Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad scoring a 21-12, 21-15 victory over Ateneo’s Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos for a 2-1 card.

The Lady Spikers raced to a 7-4 lead in the second set before the Tigresses regained control with the cat-quick pair of Rondina and Barbon making adjustments in their game to produce another straight sets conquest in front of a highly appreciative crowd.

Tiamzon and Morente, who dominated Adamson U’s Hannah Nicole Infante and Gracelchen Ave, 21-10, 21-5, in the morning session, fell at 2-1.