The National University Nazareth School and University of Santo Tomas achieved their first-ever titles in the girls' and boys' divisions, respectively, in the UAAP high school beach volleyball competition held at Sands SM By The Bay.
Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao guided the Lady Bullpups to their first championship, 18-21, 21-10, 15-8, in a comeback victory over UST's Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar.
JM Lagaran and Lance Malinao then defeated Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan of NUNS 21-14, 13-21, 16-14 to lead the Tiger Sands to their first boys' championship.
NU’s conquest
After winning the first set, UST looked certain to win a girls' three-peat, until the Lady Bullpups pulled off a comeback, winning the next two sets to win the title.
After starting the third frame in a 0–5 hole, the Junior Tiger Sands appeared to have little chance of winning until Del Mar ignited a 4–2 burst to stay within striking distance, 7–4.
But, with a decisive 8–4 run, NUNS won the title and prevented UST from winning three straight.
UST’s historic first
Lagaran and Malinao made a valiant comeback to deny NUNS back-to-back titles in the boys' final, overcoming a 12-8 deficit in the decisive set.
The Tiger Sands won their historic title after a perfect nine-match campaign.
Lagaran became the team's pillar of support during its undefeated run this season, earning him the Season 87 MVP award.
