Tigresses unbeaten in UAAP beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - Santo Tomas took the solo lead in the women’s division as rookies Cherry Rondina and Rica Rivera subdued Michelle Morente and Jhoana Maraguinot of Ateneo, 21-16, 21-11, yesterday in UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball at the UE Caloocan court.?       

The Tigresses, runners-up last season, are unbeaten in three games, making them the heavy favorites with Cebu-born Rondina and Rivera playing like battle-tested veterans.?        

FEU kept within distance of UST after Bernadette Pons and Charm Simborio defeated Krysel Cueva and Francislyn Cais of UE, 21-19, 21-14, for their second straight win.?        

La Salle’s Kim Fajardo and Cyd Demecillo overcame Adamson University’s Amanda Villanueva and Marleen Cortel, 21-19, 21-17, to barge into the win column while giving the defending champions their second straight loss.?       

National U’s Jaja Santiago and Fatima General streaked to a second consecutive win after a season-opening loss to FEU, fashioning out a 21-9, 21-12 thumping of Arylle Magtalas and Hannah Mangulabnan of University of the Philippines.?       

UST is also unbeaten in three starts in men’s play, turning back Adamson University, 21-17, 21-17, also yesterday.?      

In other matches, NU downed UP, 21-14, 21-15, FEU routed La Salle, 21-12, 21-10, and Ateneo nipped UE, 16-21, 21-12, 15-13.?      

The Bulldogs, Tamaraws and Blue Eagles improved to 2-1, while the Falcons went down to 1-1 card.?      

The Fighting Maroons, Green Spikers and Red Warriors are winless in two matches.