Cebuana spiker Cherry Rondina claimed her second MVP award in the last three years as she led the University of Santo Tomas (UST) past the Far Eastern University (FEU), 21-17, 21-10, to claim the UAAP beach volleyball crown yesterday at the Sands SM By the Bay.
The Tigresses became the most successful squad in the sport, as Rondina and Jem Gutierrez powered the España-based squad to a fourth title with the win over the FEU pair of Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza in the championship decider.
UST actually failed to register a perfect season as it dropped Game 2, 21-17, 17-21, 13-15, earlier in day. But Rondina and Gutierrez wouldn’t be denied in reclaiming the throne the team last won in 2014.
“We put last season behind us. This year was another chapter [for our team],” said Rondina, a product of Compostela National High School in Cebu. “When the coaching staff and my partner were changed, my coach said this is a new book, and this is the front page. The pages were our training and this (championship) is the last page.”
Rondina was paired with RJ Rivera when the Tigresses won the crown in her rookie season in 2014.
UST banked on a strong start in the second frame of Game three, as Rondina scored the first five points of the set and nailed the championship-clinching set to seal the deal.