DEFENDING champion University of Santo Tomas and last year’s runner-up Far Eastern University secured the first two semifinals berths after sweeping their respective two matches in the UAAP Season 82 beach volleyball tournament on Saturday at Sands SM By The Bay.
The Tiger Spikers' Jaron Requinton and Rancel Varga made short work of University of the Philippines' Niccolo Consuelo and Louis Gamban, 21-13, 21-8, and kept their momentum going in the afternoon with a 21-19, 21-8 demolition of Ateneo's Abai Llenos and Kurt Aguilar.
The Tamaraws’ Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon meanwhile, also dominated Ateneo's Llenos and Aguilar, 21-8, 21-9, in the morning before a convincing 21-12, 21-15 victory over De La Salle's Vince Maglinao and Ian Jumandos.
"Last playing year ko na 'to, last playing year na rin ni Kevin, kaya sobrang eager akong makakuha ng championship at maibalik ang championship sa FEU," said Garcia as he and Hadlocon are bidding for their final shot of winning a title.
The protagonists of last year’s Finals stayed perfect with an immaculate 5-0 win-loss records, securing the first two Final Four berths and just a win shy of clinching twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four.
National University and Adamson University also swept their respective games for joint third place with identical 3-2 cards.
The Bulldogs' James Buytrago and James Natividad took down La Salle's Maglinao and Jumandos, 21-14, 21-17, and University of the East's Jake Abria and Lloyd Josafat, 21-18, 21-12.
Leo Miranda and Jesus Valdez of Adamson also beat UE, 21-13, 21-9 before a 21-14, 21-14 conquest of UP.
UP is on the brink of elimination as it dropped to a 2-3 record. La Salle and UE, tied at 1-4, bombed out of contention to join Ateneo (0-5).