By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Negrense Honey Grace Cordero and the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs fell short of back-to-back crowns after settling for a runner-up finish in the UAAP Season 88 beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay in Pasay City on Sunday, November 30.

Cordero and her partner Kizil Quijote failed to repeat over University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Sands’ Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella, 21-8, 22-20, in the championship match.

On the part of the Tiger Cubs, the victory was sweet revenge after seeing their championship streak snapped by Cordero and the Lady Bulldogs last year.

“Nawala ‘yung tinik na dinamdam namin ng isang taon kasi sobrang sakit ‘yung pangyayaring iyon,” Progella said, reflecting on last season’s defeat.

“Iba ‘yung feeling namin ngayon. Makakatulog na kami nang mahimbing. Ganoon na ‘yung nararamdaman namin,” she added as they completed a perfect 9-0 women’s campaign.

The Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws also landed on the podium in the women’s division as Negrense Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez secured their third consecutive bronze medal by beating University of the Philippines’ Jum Gayo and Kryssia Ornos, 21-18, 15-21, 15-4.

In the men’s division, UST’s Alche Gupiteo and Dom Gabito outlasted Negrense Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino of NU, 24-22, 21-17, to sweep their finals series and deliver Tiger Sands its seventh straight crown.

Meanwhile, Ateneo clinched its first bronzeware since Season 85 after Negrense Jian Salarzon and Amil Pacinio defeated Christian Salboro and Reynan Postorioso, 21-16, 21-11, snapping FEU’s two-season hold on third place./ASC, WDJ