VICTORY. Khylem Progella of defending champion University of Santo Tomas (left) preparing for an attack during the UAAP Season 86 high school girls beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay on April 20, 2024. On April 28, UST defeated FEU-D, 21-17, 21-16, to remain unbeaten after five matches. (UAAP photo)
MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas rolled to its fifth win as Khy Progella, Cameron Grace Villaluz and third player Grithney Jhyn Dadang defeated Far Eastern University-Diliman's Frenchie Premaylon and Love Lopez, 21-17, 21-16, in the UAAP Season 86 high school girls beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay on Sunday evening.
UST, the top seed in the Final Four, will face Ateneo on Friday.
Meanwhile, Adamson University's Shai Nitura, Fel Sagaysay, and third player Mariana Pineda prevailed over De La Salle-Zobel's Aislinn Alemaña, Katrina Tria, and third player Angel Jaden Cenizal, 21-12, 21-9, to secure the No. 2 seeding at 5-1.
In the other match, National University Nazareth School's (NUNS) Vilmarie Toos and Laiza Benigay rallied past UP Integrated School's Khloe Long and Janella Guarino, 23-21, 17-21, 15-6, to share third place with FEU-D at 3-2.
DLSZ, sporting a 2-3 card, will meet FEU-D also on Friday. Idle Ateneo has a 1-4 slate while UPIS ended its campaign at 0-6.
In the boys division, UST extended its winning run to five after John Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao downed Ateneo's Mon Paquito Berdos and Santiago Andres Avila, 21-6, 21-4.
UST shares the lead with NUNS, Adamson, and defending champion FEU-D at 5-1.
NUNS secured its third straight win as John Wayne Dionela and Rain Skyler Gemarino outplayed University of the East's Jan Macam, Ahril Cuadra, and Xyrone Montemayor, 21-15, 21-18.
Adamson University's Tommy Castrodes, CJ Dominquito, and third player Brandy Clemente clobbered De La Salle-Zobel's Mario Roxas, Christopher Pallega, and third player Jarett Lei Failana, 21-8, 21-6, while FEU-D's Kyle Tandoc, Amet Bituin, and third player Zedric Dave Calimlim trounced UPIS' Juan Miguel Navarro, Japeth Ben Casabar and third player Marcus Ellis Bamba, 21-7, 21-13.
UE slid to 2-4 followed by DLSZ and Ateneo, which have identical 1-5 records while UPIS is winless in six outings. (PNA)
