Pinoy Spikers (Philippine Spike)

UAAP champion University of Santo Tomas retained the Philippine Unigames  title by sweeping La Salle, 25-19, 26-24, 25-21, in the finals Saturday at the Siliman University Gym.

In what expected to be a close match was turned into a dominating showing for the Tigresses, who except for a Lady Archers scare in the second frame and in the early part of the third set, were in full control of the match.

UST and La Salle used the week-long tournament as part of the preparations of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament slated to open on Nov. 27.

Other UAAP women’s squad who also competed were Adamson, Far Eastern University, National University and University of the Philippines.

The Lady Falcons made it to the semifinals, while the Lady Tamaraws, Lady Bulldogs and the Lady Maroons did not make it to the ‘Top 4′.

FEU booked the men’s volleyball title by nipping hometown favorite Foundation University, 21-25, 25-13, 23-25, 25-16, 15-13.

The Visayas squads swept the beach volleyball crowns, where Foundation topped the men’s division, while Southwestern University ruled the distaff side.  (TJ)

REIGNING titlist University of Santo Tomas and La Salle collide for the crown for the second straight year after beating University of St. La Salle and Adamson, respectively, in the women’s volleyball ‘Final Four’ 2010 Philippine Unigames at the Siliman University Gym.

The Tigresses drubbed Lady Stingers, 25-21, 25-14, 21-25, 25-20, while the Lady Archers subdued the Lady Falcons, 21-25, 27-25, 25-14, 25-19.

For the men’s volleyball title, FEU and Foundation University settled a date after beating UST and University of San Jose-Recoletos, respectively.

The Tamaraws slipped past the Growling Tigers, 22-25, 25-19, 20-25, 26-24, 15-11, while the hometown favorite Greyhounds tripped the Cebu-based Jaguars, 25-16, 23-25, 30-28, 25-23.

The championship matches are being played as of presstime.  (TJ)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas starts its title retention campaign against Ateneo in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament which will open on Nov. 27 at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

In a battle of pre-season favorites, the six-time Shakey’s V-League champion Tigresses and the Lady Eagles in the main game at 4 p.m.

In the men’s division, UST begins its bid for a ‘four-peat’ as it tackles Ateneo at 11 a.m.

Despite losing key players Angeli Tabaquero and Dindin Santiago, the Tigresses are favored to cop their 15th championship with skipper Aiza Maizo, Maru Banaticla, Judy Ann Caballejo, Maika Ortiz and setter Rhea Dimaculangan still around.

Tabaquero has already completed her playing years, while the 6-foot-1 Santiago moved to National University, where she is currently serving a two-year residency.
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PHILIPPINE Army retained the women’s division crown by nipping Philippine Navy, 25-23, 25-22, 30-28, late Sunday in the 2010 National Volleyball Open at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The match was too close to call, but the Army escaped with the win when Rachel Daquis banged in the game-winning kill from a set play by Ers Iratay.

Cherry Vivas earlier gave Philippine Army a one-point lead when she scored the go-ahead hit.

Army skipper Michelle Carolino was adjudged as the women’s MVP, while Mary Jean Balse and Tina Salak took home the Best Attacker and Best Setter honors, respectively.

Other individual awardees included Navy’s Michelle Laborte (Best Blocker) and Lizlee Ann Gata (Best Libero), and Amy Guanco of Philippine Air Force (Best Server).

Meanwhile, Air Force beat La Salle, 18-25, 17-25, 25-21, 29-27, 15-9, to clinch third place in the week-long event supported by Mikasa, Philippine Sports Commission, Rizal Technological University and EARIST.

Philippine Air Force, starring tournament MVP Rhovyl Velayo, bagged the men’s section title by defeating Philippine Army, 24-26, 25-19, 25-22, 25-16.

Yellow Brick Road took the second runner-up plum by tripping Far Eastern University, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21.

Other women’s squads who competed in the tournament are University of the East and RTU. (TJ)