We’re very happy we were able to defend the crown. We dedicate this win to UST, to people who believe in us and specially to ate Sisi Rondina.

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) cemented its status as the most successful University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) beach volleyball program after its women’s and men’s squads achieved another golden double yesterday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor gave the Tigresses a four-peat but not surviving a tough La Salle pair of Tin Tiamzon and Justine Jazareno in the finals to complete another perfect season.

Rancel Varga and Jaron Requinton also completed a 10-0 campaign as they swept Far Eastern University’s Jude Garcia and Doy Barrica in the championship round for the Growling Tigers’ second straight crown.

Rising stars in the sand court, Barbon and Varga were named the season Most Valuable Players in their respective divisions.

UST claimed its seventh women’s championship, and the first in the post-Sisi Rondina era.

Barbon, who had to fill a huge void left by Rondina, is now the Tigresses’ new queen of the sand court.

“We’re very happy we were able to defend the crown. We dedicate this win to UST, to people who believe in us and specially to ate Sisi (Rondina),” Barbon said.

“She’s (Rondina) a champion for so many years and we did not want to disappoint her,” the Quezon, Bukidnon native added.

The Lady Spikers were able halt the Tigresses straight sets victory streak to 19 in the finals opener but Barbon and Eslapor held steadier to beat Tiamazon and Jazareno 21-14, 20-22, 15-12.

UST survived a gallant La Salle stand in the extended opening set and withstood its foes late second frame uprising to fashion out a 28-26, 21-18 victory to emerge as queens once more.

“They are really good,” said Barbon of the Lady Spikers, who finished bridesmaids for the second straight year.

No doubt, Barbon and Eslapor’s connection worked wonders for the Tigresses, who extended their winning run to 29 games dating back from 2016.