By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs, led by Negrense Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa, maintained their unbeaten slate in the UAAP Season 87 women’s beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay in Pasay City.
Cordero and Epa registered their third win in as many games following a 21-18, 21-18 sweep over the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws’ Lovely Lopez and Negrense Melody Pons.
Defending champions University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Sands of Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella also secured their third victory after a 21-6, 21-14 straight-set domination over the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons’ Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon.
“Maganda ‘yung nilaro namin against UP [University of the Philippines], kaunti ‘yung errors, maganda ‘yung communication,” UST head coach Paul Doloiras said in an interview with UST’s The Varsitarian.
“Tinrabaho din namin ‘yun inside the sand court,” he added.
In the men’s division, defending champions UST Tiger Sands and NU Bulldogs also stretched their unbeaten run to three games following separate victories.
The Tiger Sands pair of Dominique Gabito and reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo downed the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ JM Yu and Amil Pacinio in two sets, 21-13, 21-19.
On the other hand, Negrense Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino sustained the Bulldogs’ undefeated run by sweeping the FEU Tamaraws tandem of Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, 21-11, 21-15.
In other women’s matches, Negrense Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag of the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles’ (1-2) turned back De La Salle University Lady Spikers’ Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas (0-2), 22-20, 21-18.
The FEU Lady Tamaraws (1-2) bounced back from two straight losses as they swept the University of the East Lady Warriors’ Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla (1-1), 21-17, 21-17.
Also in the men’s division, UP’s Angelo Lipata and Christian repulsed Adamson University Falcons’ Marc Paulino and Willie Hiltones, 21-13, 21-18, to improve to a 2-1 mark./ASC, WDJ