University of Santo Tomas’ Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon made quick work of University of the Philippines’ Isa Molde and Justine Dorog, 21-12, 21-12, to open its women’s three-peat bid on a smashing note in the UAAP Season 81 beach volleyball tournament Monday at Sands SM By The Bay.
But reigning men’s champion National University dropped its season opener, as Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon stunned the fancied pair of Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad, 25-23, 21-17.
In her final year, Rondina has Barbon as new partner—the fourth in her collegiate career—but the two performed as if they have been playing together for a long time.
A rookie who hails from Bukidnon, Barbon was solid on both ends of the sand court to complement three-time MVP Rondina.
The Tigresses are the most successful squad in the sport with five crowns, three of which Rondina won with different partners. The Compostela, Cebu native hopes to cap her UAAP stint as a winner for UST.
The Lady Tamaraws, last season’s second placers to the Tigresses, were not as fortunate in their season-opener.
De La Salle’s Tin Tiamzon and Michelle Morente overcame a second-set meltdown to beat FEU’s Ivana Agudo and Marianne Calinawan, 21-14, 20-22, 15-10, while NU’s Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho topped Ateneo’s Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte, 21-11, 21-14.
The back-to-back-seeking Bulldogs fell by wayside, as the Tamaraws, last year’s third placers, used their court smarts to prevail.
In other men’s morning matches, UST’s Krung Arbasto and Jaron Requinton beat Ateneo’s Kurt Aguilar and Abai Llenos, 21-11, 21-14, Adamson University’s Pao Pablico and Jesus Valdez bested UP’s Nico Consuelo and Mac Millete, 24-22, 21-14, while UE’s Clifford Inoferio and Alven Aljas.