UST beach volley sweeps elims, semis
By Ernest Martin Tuazon
The UST Tiger Sands and Lady Spikers both capped off their eliminations with a clean 7–0 slate, followed by a quick sweep of UP and Ateneo in the semifinals to advance to the finals of the UAAP Season 85 collegiate beach volleyball tournament, Sunday, Nov. 27, at the SM Sands by the Bay.
On the last day of the eliminations, UST’s duo of Gen Eslapor and Season 82 MVP Babylove Barlon capped off their 7–0 slate after romping DLSU’s Jolina Dela Cruz and Justine Jazareno in straight sets, 23–21, 21–14.
The Tiger Sands, led by Jaron Requinton and reigning MVP Rancel Varga, replicated the women’s unblemished elimination run after being able to hand the NU Bulldogs’ first loss of the tournament in a three-set thriller, 21–17, 17–21, 15–13.
Both divisions carried their momentum to the semifinals as the Lady Spikers began their quest for their fifth consecutive championship with a 21–16, 21–6 sweep over UP’s Euri Eslapor and Alyssa Bertolano.
Varga and Requinton shortly followed the Lady Spikers in the finals after trumping Ateneo’s Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio in the men’s semis, 21–11, 21–15.
The UST Lady Spikers are set to defend their throne against the NU Lady Bulldogs in the knockout finals, while the Tiger Sands look to complete a season sweep as they set a rematch against the NU Bulldogs on Nov. 29, Tuesday, at the same venue.
