By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs 1 and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers 1 emerged victorious during the 26th Kadalag-an Festival Beach Volleyball Open held in Negros Occidental’s Victorias City.

The Lady Bulldogs 1 pair of Negrense Honey Grace Cordero and Kathrina Epa clinched the women’s division crown after defeating the Golden Tigresses 1 tandem of Bacolodnon Lorien Gamboa and Sofia Pagara in the finals.

In the semifinals, the Lady Bulldogs 1 defeated the UST Golden Tigresses 2 of Cameron Villaluz and Khylen Progella, while the UST Golden Tigresses 1 edged Delimondo Bacolod of Gelimae Villanueva and Bianca Lizares.

Meanwhile, the UST Golden Tigresses 2 salvaged a bronze medal finish in the tournament after prevailing over veteran Delimondo Bacolod in the battle for third place.

Other teams which participated in the tournament were Air Force, Pahaconoy, the NU Lady Bulldogs 2, Harbor Pilot, and Team Living Faith Guimaras.

On the other hand, the UST Golden Spikers 1 duo of Alche Gupiteo and Dominique Gabito claimed the men’s division crown as they outdueled Bacolod Everywhere of Eljhay Ronquillo and Deanne Neil de Pedro in the finals.

On their way to the finals, Gupiteo and Gabito edged the NU Bulldogs 1 of Negrenses Leo Ordiales and Alexander Iraya, while Bacolod Everywhere pounced on the NU Bulldogs 2 of Johnwayne Dionela and Rain Skyler Gemarino.

For their part, Ordiales and Iraya were able to join the podium finishers as they claimed the bronze medal at the expense of schoolmates Dionela and Gemarino in the battle for third place.

Also participated in the men’s division were Team Bacolod, the UST Golden Spikers 2, TeamAB, Team Pahaconoy, FEU-Diliman, and JDN Pharmacy.

The four-day beach volleyball tournament, which took place at the Victorias City Command and Evacuation Center, was organized as part of the 26th Charter Day anniversary of Victorias City./ASC, WDJ