FAR EASTERN University made short work of University of the Philippines, 21-8, 21-18, to seal a women’s Finals rematch with University of Santo Tomas yesterday in the UAAP Season 80 beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.
Action was briefly halted in the second set due to heavy rain and wind, where the Lady Tamaraws’ Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza were leading by just two, 18-16.
Bannered by Diana Carlos and Ayel Estrañero, the Lady Maroons tried to things around at the resumption of the game, but they fell short.
Pons and Atienza hope to finally pull one off against the Tigresses, who have Cherry Rondina and Caitlyn Viray doing the damage.
UST won the women’s championship last season, needing three games to beat FEU, as the two squads are expecting another intense duel in the sand.
The Tigresses secured an outright passage to the title round after sweeping all of their seven elimination round matches.
UST’s championship double remains alive as KR Guzman and Anthony Arbasto turned back FEU’s Jude Garcia and Jeremiah Barrica, 21-17, 21-16.
Game 1 of the Finals is being played as of presstime. Games 2 and 3, if necessary, is slated this afternoon at the same Pasay sand court.
Despite the loss, UP, which eliminated De La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and May Luna, 17-21, 21-19, 15-12, in the first step-ladder Thursday night, is assured of their best finish ever in the event.
FEU booted out Ateneo’s Marck Espejo and Karl Baysa, 21-15, 21-16, in Thursday’s night opening men’s step-ladder match.