MANILA, Philippines -- University of Santo Tomas bucked a slow start to defeat De La Salle, 21-15, 21-11, to annex its third women's crown in the UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball tournament Sunday at the UE Caloocan sand court.
The Tigresses trailed 0-4 in the opening set, but regrouped with newbies Cherry Rondina and Rica Rivera getting into the groove with their solid attacks at the net and impressive defense to grab the upperhand.
Ara Galang replaced Cyd Demecillo in the second set to be paired with Kim Fajardo, but the change did not help any for the Lady Spikers.
With Rondina scoring a service ace, UST put the game beyond recall at 16-6 in the second set en route in wrapping up the series.
"Na-pressure lang kami siguro, nadala lang siguro kami sa cheering ng mga tao," said Rondina.
The Tigresses won all but one of their 10 matches this season, including a seven-game sweep of the eliminations, to regain the crown they lost last year. UST tied Adamson University as the league's winningest women's beach volleyball program with three titles.
"Welcome back," said Rondina, a product of Compostela National High School who bagged the tournament MVP honors. "Hindi ako makapaniwala kasi mga beterano kasi ang mga kinalaban namin. Ang sa amin eh yung maglaro kung anong itinuro sa amin ni coach (Emil Lontoc)."
Rivera, who also joined forces with Rondina in the Tigresses' silver medal finish in last summer's Philippine National Games, took home the Rookie of the Year honors.
National University spoiled University of Santo Tomas' bid for a double championship, as the Bulldogs completed a three-peat in the men's division with a close 19-21, 21-18, 17-15 win in the Finals decider.
Josephenry Tipay rammed in the match clinching kill, giving NU a hard-earned 2-1 best-of-three series win, tying Far Eastern University (three) for the most number of men's beach volleyball titles.
"Great exit, napakaganda ng team chemistry namin," said Tipay, who was named the season MVP. "Hindi naging madali para sa amin, pero nandoon ang puso namin. Hindi kami nagpabaya."
This served as a swan song for Tipay and his partner Edwin Tolentino, who were together in the Bulldogs' amazing three-year title run.
University of the East's Edward Camposano took home the men's Rookie of the Year honors.