KRUNG Arbasto is thrilled to have earned a title in his final year, while Jaron Requinton is elated to become champion in his first stint in the UAAP beach volleyball competitions.
It was a perfect combination for University of Sto. Tomas, which also won the women’s crown with a senior-rookie tandem in the graduating Sisi Rondina and the debuting Babylove Barbon.
“Ang saya ko. Ang saya ko lahat. Parang di mapapalitan ng kahit ano ’yung ngiti ko kasi graduating na ako. Lumabas akong UST na naibalik yung korona para sa kanila,” Arbasto said after UST defeated Far Eastern University in the finals.
In Requinton, the veteran Arbasto had a reliable partner who never backed down.
“Si Jaron, matibay siya. May dedication talaga sya sa beach volley na buong puso naglalaro. Di bumibitaw sa kahit ano mang laban,” Arbasto said. “Kahit na pinapagalitan ko yan, wala, tiyaga pa rin siya. Inaabsorb pa rin niya lahat ng galit ko para lang, kasi dagdag learnings din yung sa kanya para sa mga upcoming na laro.”
Requinton is also set to join the indoor team but vows to work hard to help sustain UST’s dominance.
“Ireready ko po sarili ko kasi ayoko po magulat so ready lang po, kasi marami naman po kami. Di ko rin po alam mangyayari sa akin,” he said.
Requinton revealed that his adjustments were not limited to the way he plays, but also his on-court demeanor as he tried to fill the shoes of Arbasto’s uncle and former playing partner KR Guzman.
“Tinry ko naman po. Actually, sinabi ko kina coach na, tsaka dun po sa partner niya last year na sige kuya, ako na po magaadjust ng malala. Ako na magiingay sa court. Kasi diba last year si Kuya (KR) po yung super ingay sa court,” the rookie of the year said.
“Parang nilelevel ko lang po sarili ko kay Kuya (KR) kasi hindi po masyado maingay si Kuya Krung sa loob ng court. Parang iaangat ko siya, papaingayin ko siya sa court, para sabay kami kasi di ako sanay na di maingay sa court.”
Arbasto lauded Requinton, while dedicating the win to Guzman. Arbasto and Guzman settled for silver last season.
“Parang nakulangan pa rin ako na kulang na naibigay ko lahat ng panalo, lahat ng dedication kay KR last year,” said the newly-crowned Most Valuable Player, who teamed up with Guzman for three straight seasons highlighted by a title run in Season 79.
“So parang binawi ko siya lahat. Nagsimula kami sa eliminations sa NU, tapos sa tatlong araw na yun, sunod sunod, wala akong inisip kundi makabawi lang sa championship na ibibigay ko kay KR.”
Guzman was at Sands by the Bay cheering during the final, and was proud to see his former partner regain the title, while declaring that UST is in good hands with Requinton.
“Siyempre masarap nabawi ni Krung at least tapos na, tapos na yung laban naming dalawa sa UAAP,” Guzman said. “Kasi may pinagpromise kami sa isa’t isa na wala na ko, andyan pa rin siya, ‘yung chance na pwede niya ko ibawi sa UAAP. So ‘yun laking pasalamat ko sa kanya na naibawi ‘yung panalo na kinuha ng NU last year.”
“Si Jaron magaling talaga na manglalaro,” Guzman said. “Meron siyang skills at saka yung bata matapang maglaro tsaka alam niya paano laruin yung buhangin kaya swerte kami na nasa amin siya napunta.”
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