UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas dominated the competition at the Sands SM By The Bay by completing a golden double in the UAAP Season 79 beach volleyball tournament winning both the women’s and men’s divisions yesterday.
The Tigresses became the most successful squad in UAAP beach volleyball competition, as Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez powered the España-based squad to a fourth title with a 21-17, 21-10 win over Far Eastern University’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza in the championship decider.
UST actually missed registering a perfect season after dropping Game 2, 21-17, 17-21, 13-15, earlier in day, but Rondina and Gutierrez won’t be denied in reclaiming the throne.
“Last year is over and done with. It’s another chapter this year,” said Rondina, a product of Compostela National High School in Cebu who won her second MVP award in three years.
“After I got a new coaching staff and a new partner our coaches told us to open a new book. The opening and early pages were our training. This championship is our last page,” she said.
The Growling Tigers were successful in hacking out a 9-0 season sweep, 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 step-ladder semifinals, was named the Rookie of the Year.
“They (FEU) showed their heart. They suffered the cramps in Game 2 but continued to compete. That’s a really painful experience. I have utmost respect for them. They’re young. Their time will come,” said Guzman.
The triumph ended the Tigers’ heartbreak of being bridesmaids for the last three seasons.
“That’s what motivated us to push further to get what we wanted,” said Guzman.
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 to seal the deal.
Rondina praised her new partner Gutierrez for a job well done all-season long.
“Ate Jem (Gutierrez) is very cooperative even though she is my senior,” said Rondina, who was paired with RJ Rivera when the Tigresses won the crown in her rookie season in 2014.
