Volleyball sweep ushers in Year of the Tigers

MANILA, Philippines - University of Santo Tomas completed a rare sweep in the 72nd UAAP volleyball competition, besting Far Eastern U for the men’s crown and La Salle for the women’s plum Saturday.

The Tigers hacked out an easy 25-21, 25-17, 25-21 victory over the Tams while the Tigresses beat the Lady Archers, 25-18, 25-14, 16-25, 25-15, in a gripping finale at The Arena in San Juan.

UST thus became the first school to sweep the event since La Salle, starring Stephanie Mercado – daughter of former Asian sprint queen Lydia, did the trick in 2007.

It was particularly sweet for the Tigresses, who came back from a heartbreaking Final Four elimination last year to dethrone the Lady Archers.

The UAAP crown came on the heels of UST’s earlier triumphs in the University Games in Iloilo in October and the Shakey’s V-League in November.

“I can’t ask for more and I dedicate this victory to coach August Sta. Maria,” said UST coach Shaq delos Santos, referring to their former mentor who retired due to health problems.

Angeli Tabaquero saved the best for last as she scored 13 hits in her farewell game with the team while Maru Banaticla and Aiza Maizo added 11 hits apiece.

It was setter Rhea Dimaculangan, however, who wound up with the MVP trophy.

“Rhea served as the team’s stabilizer and she deserves to be the MVP,” said Delos Santos.

After dropping the first two sets, La Salle came alive by taking the third set and appeared headed to forging a decider after racing to a 10-5 start in the fourth set.

But it wasn’t to be as UST stormed back and turned the tables around to seal the win.

UST men’s team coach Emil Lontoc, for his part, said this is probably the sweetest victory of all.

“This is definitely the sweetest and most memorable because this is the first time we won three straight titles,” said Lontoc. “We’ll definitely go for a four-peat next year.”