UAAP: NU bags first-ever women’s beach volleyball title

NATIONAL University (NU) won its maiden women’s title, defeating University of Santo Tomas (UST) 21-16, 19-21, 15-11, in a dramatic UAAP Season 87 Beach Volleyball Finals on Tuesday at Sands SM By The Bay. 

Everything is sweeter the first time around, especially for the Lady Bulldogs, who finally finished the tournament well. NU has only finished as runners-up the last two seasons. 

Furthermore, NU dismissed UST’s bid for their 10th women’s beach volleyball championship. The tournament was tense, as the España-based squad beat them in the elimination round finale.

One for the Bulldogs

Honey Grace Cordero, who was named Finals MVP at the end of the game, stepped in late for the Lady Bulldogs. The Tiger Sands were ahead 9-10, Cordero scored three consecutive points to take the lead and win it all.

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

“Sobrang saya po nanalo kami ng championship against UST dahil defending champion po sila. May pride po sila para maipaglaban ang championship,” said Cordero.

“Pero hindi kami sumuko at ipinaglaban namin kung ano ang dapat ipinaglaban namin,” Cordero added.

Nonetheless, NU’s Cordero and Kat Epa, as well as UST’s Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella, competed in an entertaining finals encounter, with the former squad setting a UAAP record. 

Tigers reversed fate

The Tiger Sands’ male counterparts were able to offer the UST community something to cheer about, leading the men’s squad to a sixth consecutive title and ninth overall, avenging their women’s team. 

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

Dominique Gabito, the tournament MVP, and Alche Gupiteo swept the Bulldogs’ Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino 21-13, 21-16. UST went undefeated in nine matches without dropping a set, a remarkable performance for the team.

“Nag-prepare po kami; halos one year rin po naming pinaghirapan ‘to,” said Gabito. “Kasi si Alche galing sa indoor ‘eh. Ako, bago lang ako, first ko lang maglaro sa MOA.”

“Trinabaho talaga namin and sakto naman ‘yung naging preparation namin bago kami sumalang dito sa UAAP,” Gabito added, im an interview with the media after their finals match.

Tamaraws with the bronze

Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons of Far Eastern University avenged their elimination round loss to Adamson’s Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay, 21-15, 21-10, to complete the bronze medal sweep. 

Photo Courtesy: UAAP Media Group

Aside from them, Tamaraws men’s teammates Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso achieved the same, defeating University of the Philippines’ Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo 21-19, 21-13. 

The Tamaraws finished third in both the women’s and men’s divisions for the second consecutive season, capping off another exciting UAAP Beach Volleyball season.