UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and National University cruised to their respective fourth straight wins and inched closer to semifinal spots in the UAAP Season 81 women’s beach volleyball tournament on Friday at the Sands by the Bay in Pasay City.
Three-time champion Cherry Rondina and her rookie partner Babylove Barbon of UST made a short work of UE’s Lyen Ritual and Donna Nebrea, 21-4, 21-7, to stay on top of the standings without the loss of a single set.
Nebrea was activated for Rhea Manalo, who played in UE’s first three matches, but Tigresses Rondina and Barbon were still unstoppable dealing the Lady Red Warriors their fourth loss.
“Always lang talagang nasa isip namin na kapag pumunta ka sa laban kailangan ang mindset mo mananalo ka at di mo makukuha ang panalo na 'yun kung hindi mo tatrabahuhin,” graduating Rondina said.
“Itinodo na lang namin kasi mas malaki ang opportunity na manalo kung uunahan mo eh. Malakas man o mahina siyempre lalaban pa rin kami.”
The rookies of NU, Antonette Landicho and Kly Orillaneda, continued to surprise as they also extended their unbeaten record to without losing a single set by turning back Far Eastern University’s Marianne Calinawan and Ivana Agudo, 21-11, 21-15.
Landicho and Orillaneda meet Rondina and Barbon on Tuesday in their much-anticipated duel.
“Ako talaga ayokong mapapahiya ang team, ayokong mapahiya ang school namin. Nasa akin kasi, ayoko talagang matalo eh,” Rondina said.
De La Salle’s Mich Morente and Tin Tiamzon, meanwhile, vented their ire on Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte of Ateneo, winning in two sets, 21-14, 25-23, for a 3-1 record and solo third place.
University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Justine Dorog tightened their grip of solo fourth place with a 2-2 card after surviving Adamson’s Hannah Infante and Gracel Ave in three sets, 19-21, 21-13, 15-12.
Adamson, Ateneo and FEU are all tied with identical 1-2 records.