MANILA, Philippines – The NU Lady Bulldogs snagged their first-ever women’s volleyball crown after upending the UST Tiger Sands in three sets, 21-16, 19-21, 15-11, in the UAAP Season 87 finals at the SM Sands by the Bay on Tuesday, November 26.
Bannered by Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa, the Lady Bulldogs broke through this season after falling prey to the powerhouse Tiger Sands in the past two years, settling for silver in Seasons 85 and 86.
The Tiger Sands’ duo of Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara looked set to deliver UST a seventh straight title as they swept their way to the finals, including a lopsided win over NU in the elimination round, but the Lady Bulldogs delivered their best performance when it mattered most to secure the title.
“We’ve been hoping for the past few years, but we never thought we’d be here winning the championship today,” the Lady Bulldogs’ head coach Rhovyl Verayo said in Filipino.
“It is especially surreal since we know UST has been dominating us for the past years, and they’ve dominated us in the elimination round. So this championship feels like it is destined for us,” he added.
NU zoomed to a rousing 15-8 start and preserved the lead the rest of the way to take the first set.
The Lady Bulldogs came close to finishing the Tiger Sands in the second set, but UST eked out a 10-5 run late to send the title duel to a decider.
NU, though, got the job done in the third and final set, ending the match on a 4-0 finisher to stun the Tiger Sands en route to a historic championship.
Cordero won the season MVP award as she delivered crucial attacks late, while Progella bagged the Rookie of the Year honors.
“I’m so happy winning this championship since UST has pride over being the defending champion,” Cordero said.
In the men’s tournament, UST maintained its supremacy, capturing its sixth straight men’s beach volleyball title after dominating the NU Bulldogs, 21-13, 21-15.
Led by Alche Gupiteo and Dominique Gabito, the Tiger Sands hiked their championship count to nine.
Gabito was named season MVP after a stellar finals performance, carrying UST in the second set to stave off the Bulldogs’ gallant stand.
“We love developing players and this team is the fruit of our development,” said UST head coach Paul Jan Doloiras in Filipino.
“Maybe that’s why we are winning all these years, because we aim to nurture talents and push them to be the best they can,” he added.
The Tiger Sands finished the season without dropping a single set to reaffirm their dominance in men’s beach volleyball. – Rappler.com