UST and NU stay perfect in two beach volleyball divisions

The UST pair of (from left) Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara are hoping to gift the school a seventh straight crown. —UAAP MEDIA

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and National University remained unbeaten in three women’s matches yesterday posting contrasting victories in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate beach volleyball tournament on Saturday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella put up a masterclass as the Tiger Sands, who are seeking a seventh straight women’s crown, overpowered University of the Philippines’ Euri Eslapor and Julia De Leon, 21-6, 21-14.

Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa displayed tremendous composure as the Lady Bulldogs rallied from behind in both sets to beat Far Eastern University’s Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons, 21-18, 21-18.

Kat Epa of NU scores against Adamson. —UAAP MEDIA

Ateneo defeated La Salle in their rivalry match, as Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag turned back Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 22-20, 21- 18, to check a two-match slide.

The Lady Tamaraws, who are now tied with the Blue Eagles at 1-2, were able to salvage a win in the morning session as Lopez and Pons prevailed over University of the East’s Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-17, 21-17.

Men’s titleholder UST and NU, meanwhile, also posted straight-set wins to move up to 3-0.

Dominique Gabito and reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo downed Ateneo’s JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 21-13, 21-19, to protect the Tiger Sands’ perfect record.

The UST pair of (from left) Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara are hoping to gift the school a seventh crown. —UAAP MEDIA

Sustained the run

Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino sustained the Bulldogs’ undefeated run by sweeping FEU’s Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, 21-11, 21-15.

UP’s Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo rebounded from Friday night’s loss to NU by repulsing Adamson University’s Marc Paulino and Willie Hiltones, 21-13, 21-18. The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-1.

In other men’s morning fixtures, Bituin and Postorioso gave the Tamaraws their first victory by sweeping the Falcons’ Paulino and Hiltones, 21-9, 28-26. De La Salle halted a two match skid as Andre Espejo and Von Marata bested UE’s Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-16, 21-15.

Yu and Pacinio returned in the afternoon by giving the Blue Eagles a split on the second day by repulsing the Red Warriors’ Buensalida and Celestial, 21-9, 21-7.