By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses showed its dominance in the sands after ruling the 1st Mayor Albee Benitez Beach Volleyball Tournament at the Bacolod Baywalk Recreational Park in Bacolod City on Sunday, October 8.
The Golden Tigresses tandem of Genesa Eslapor and Sophia Pagara captured the women’s division crown after defeating the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs pair of Negrense Honey Grace Cordero and Klymince Orillaneda, 21-18, 21-15, in the finals.
According to Eslapor, their participation in the two-day beach volleyball tournament was a good tune-up as they aim to capture their sixth consecutive championship in the UAAP Season 86 women’s beach volleyball tournament.
“We are thankful to be able to participate here kasi kailangan namin ng ganitong experience and exposure para mas maging buo pa kami for the upcoming UAAP season,” Eslapor said.
On their way to the championship round, the Golden Tigresses defeated the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, 21-12, 21-13, while the Lady Bulldogs prevailed over City Design (Bacolod) in the semis, 21-12, 21-13.
The Fighting Maroons — composed of Antiqueña Irah Anika Jaboneta, Euricka Eslapor and Jum Gayo — salvaged a bronze medal finish after defeating the City Design tandem in the battle for third place game, 21-14, 21-13.
Meanwhile, the Verayo’s Grill of Negrense Alexander Cabatuan and Ranran Abdilla emerged as champions in the men’s division as they defeated the UST Tiger Spikers of Rancel Varga and Alche Gulpiteo, 21-17, 21-18, in the finals.
Heading into the championship round, Verayo’s Grill prevailed over the NU Bulldogs, while the Tiger Spikers turned back the GAR-Siquijor team in the other semifinals game.
The Bulldogs salvaged a bronze medal finish in the competition as they defeated GAR-Siquijor in the battle for third place game.
The champion squads for the men’s and women’s divisions received a P60,000 cash prize, while the first runner-up was given P30,000; second runner-up P15,000; and third runner-up P9,000./ASC, WDJ