ATENEO overcame a tough challenge from University of Santo Tomas, needing to play four matches on Wednesday to claim the UAAP beach volleyball men's title at MOA Sands by the Bay.
Marck Espejo and Ysay Marasigan added the beach volley gold medals to Ateneo’s indoor volleyball trophy, capping the long day with a 21-16, 21-19 win in the fourth match against Tigers Kris Roy Guzman and Anthony Arbasto.
The Blue Eagles carried a thrice-to-beat advantage into the finals, but the Tigers stretched the showdown to four matches.
UST won the opener, 21-13, 21-17, but Ateneo won the next match 19-21, 21-15, 15-12.
The Tigers extended the showdown with a 21-14, 21-16 win in the third match.
It was a bittersweet moment for the graduating Marasigan, who waited four long years for a championship.
"Sobrang saya na after four years and last year ko na rin, sabi ko gagawin ko ang lahat and titingnan ko kung saan ako mapupulot," said Marasigan.
"Sabi rin ni coach last year ko na and dapat gawin ko ang lahat. Kaya ngayon sobrang sarap ng feeling ko."
After helping carry the Blue Eagles to their first indoor championship since joining the league in 1978, Espejo is doubly-pleased to win to help his senior teammate win the beach title.
"Ang gaan sa pakiramdaman lalo na sa akin na binigyan ko ng beach volleyball championship si Marasigan, na natulungan ko siya," he said.