THE men's and women's teams of UAAP powerhouse University of Santo Tomas (UST) made history Saturday after being the first team to sweep both volleyball crowns in seven years after La Salle did the job in 2003.
The Tiger Spikers blanked out rival Far Eastern University (FEU) to take home the 18th UAAP men's volleyball crown Saturday at the Arena in San Juan.
Before 3,427 paying fans, three of the Tigers scored double figures to steal the thunder from the determined Tamaraws.
Harby Ilano punched in 14 points, two blocks and three ace services while veteran spiker John Paul Torres contributed another 14 to sweep the Morayta tossers.
Quarter scores are 25-21, 25-17, and 25-21 for UST as the team also nailed its third straight men's crown in 71 minutes.
Jayson Ramos also delivered the hits for UST with 10 points and three ace services.
Meanwhile, Joshua Alcarde bannered the losing effort of the Tamaraws with 13 points and an ace service while Nestor Molate had 11 markers.
The Tigers were successful in stopping skipper Rodolfo Labrador to draw a game-changer as he was held to a measly four-point output.
The Emil Lontoc-coached Tigers earlier took Game 1 with the same straight set fashion, 25-20, 25-22, and 25-22 last February 24.
The game awarded veteran Hendry Pecaña as the Finals MVP who has been a consistent scorer for the Tigers.
Pecaña had a combined 24 point output during the two-game finals series.
In the distaff side, the Tigresses swept the defending champions La Salle for a 14th crown watched by 4,822 fans.
Skipper Aiza Maizo, veterans Ma. Angeli Tabaquero, Maika Ortiz and rookies Maru Banaticla and Denise Santiago combined for half (45) of Tigresses' 91-point output to lead the charge for the returning champions.
La Salle took a third set rally but this was not enough to stop the Tigresses who contained their rivals in other three sets.
Quarter scores showed 25-18, 25-14, 16-25, and 25-15 in the 92-minute action.
Veteran Rhea Katrina Dimaculangan was honored Finals MVP who is known for her leadership skills just like his brother, Tigers team captain Ray Karl.
Both Rhea and Ray Karl finished with three hits for their separate clincher games.
The Tigresses of coach Cesael delos Santos held an advantage over La Salle after nipping their rival in Game 1 last Wednesday.
For the record, the Tigresses made a sweep of all the major women’s volleyball tournament in the country starting with the National University Games last October in Iloilo and the Shakey’s V-League, which they also swept the last two conferences last November.
The last time UST swept the titles was during the 1992 season.
Abigail Maraño and Jacqueline Alarca combined for 20 points to lead the losing cause of the former two-time champions.
Ateneo, FEU lead UAAP volleyball awardees
Although graduating King Eagle Andre Joseph Pareja and Lady Tamaraw skipper Cherry Mae Vivas failed to bring their schools in the finals, the two were feted as UAAP Season 72's best.
In a simple ceremony, Pareja, a 21-year-old medical student was adjudged as most valuable player while Vivas copped the women's individual honor and best scorer.
Ateneo lost its semifinal match against FEU on February 20 while the Lady Tamaraws failed to catch the 'Final Four' bus for the first time since the format was introduced in 1994.
Vivas also bagged MVP and Best Scorer honors in the second season of the Shakey’s V-League tilt last November 2009.
Other individual awardees in the men’s division are Michael Antonio (rookie of the year) and Chris Macasaet (best scorer) of La Salle, Pareja (best spiker), Lloyd Belgado (best blocker) and Gerald Magtoto of UP (best setter), Ray Karl Dimaculangan of UST (best server), Amenolah Acot of UE (best Digger) and NU’s Richard Rocero (best receiver).
La Salle’s Johanna Siy bagged the ROY and best blocker awards, UST’s Rhea Dimaculangan was named best server, Ateneo’s Jem Ferrer was the league’s best setter, Adamson’s Lizlee Ann earned the best digger and best receiver trophies while teammate Paulina Soriano copped the best spiker honors. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)