The Green and Lady Spikers extended their dominance to the sand courts, barging into the elite four of the UAAP Season 75 Beach Volleyball Tournament held from August 25 to September 8 at the UE Caloocan sand court.
Fresh from a 2nd place finish in the Manila leg of the 15th Nestea Beach Volleyball Championship last summer, the tandem of Wensh Tiu and Kim Fajardo reinforced by Ara Galang finished the season with bronze, an improvement from last year’s 4th place finish.
The Green-and-White squad chose Tiu and Fajardo because of their experience in playing beach volleyball. Both started playing in high school. Tiu explained, “Kasi siguro may experience na rin kami ng beach volley, kahit noong summer lang kami unang nagkasama tapos wala pa rin kaming training masyado.”
The men also bounced up a notch from their 5th place last year. Kevin Dela Vega, Red Christensen and Brendon Santos wrapped ended the season at 4th place.
The pair of Christensen and De La Vega, however, almost did not exist this season as setter Santos was first called for the position. De La Vega expounded, “Sanay na rin kami ni Red dahil sa last season.”
Wasted opportunity
Although the Tiu-Fajardo tandem had a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis, the pair failed to follow through and eventually lost its advantage, causing the team to end the season at third.
The Lady Spikers lost to the Adamson University pair of Bhebs Pineda and Pau Soriano in straights sets, 19-21, 11-21, after the yielding a three-setter match 21-16, 11-21, 12-15.
The Green-and-White squad, however, started strong against Ateneo and NU, but failed to continue its winning streak against back-to-back champions, the UST Tigresses.
Bouncing back from the loss against the Tigresses in the early matches, the team swept the succeeding games for a 6-1 record, heading into the final four.
Failed attempt
After reaching the semifinals with a 4-3 win-loss record, the Green Spikers Christensen-De La Vega duo succumbed to top seed, FEU Tamaraws in two sets, 19-21 and 16-21.
The pair ended its elimination matches with a loss to the UE Red Warriors in a no-bearing game, 16-21 and 21-23.
Starting the season with a win against eventual champions, the NU Bulldogs, the Taft-based pair lost its second match against season 74 champions, FEU Tamaraws.
The Green Spikers, however, bounced back and defeated the ADMU Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons before losing to the Adamson Falcons in straight sets.
In an attempt to nail a spot in the final four, the tandem of Christensen and De La Vega took down last year’s runner-up, the UST Growling Tigers.
