University of Santo Tomas begins its quest for another golden double in the UAAP Season 86 beach volleyball tournament, commencing this Friday at Sands SM By The Bay. The Tiger Sands aim for their sixth consecutive gold in the women's division and a five-peat in the men's side.
As the most successful program in the sport, UST has clinched eight women's championships overall and seven men's crowns.
Two-time women's MVP Blove Barbon, who has returned to indoor play in the professional Premier Volleyball League, has already graduated.
However, national team mainstay Gen Eslapor will lead the Tiger Sands. Eslapor will have Mer Jauculan as her partner, with Sofiah Pagara as the third player.
National University, last season's runner-up to UST, hopes to rebound this season with Honey Grace Cordero and Kly Orillaneda, accompanied by Kizil Doren Quijote as the third player.
The Tiger Sands, who have won 37 consecutive matches dating back to 2016, will open against Season 85 third-placers University of the Philippines, led by Euri Eslapor, Gen's sister, Jum Gayo, and Irah Jaboneta at 7 a.m.
The Lady Bulldogs will take on De La Salle's Julieanna Levina, Sophia Sindayen, and Gilliana Torres at 7:45 a.m.
UST will return in the afternoon to face Far Eastern University's Sheila Kiseo, Gerzel Petallo, and Melody Pons at 3:30 p.m., while NU will go up against Adamson University's Athea Aposaga, Red Bascon, and Ishie Lalongisip at 4:15 p.m.
Other women's morning matches will have Ateneo, led by Jana Cane, Roma Mae Doromal, and Gena Hora, taking on FEU at 8:30 a.m., and the University of the East, starring Van Bangayan, Andrea Germono, and Krisha Revilla, playing Adamson University at 9:15 a.m.
In the men's division, reigning MVP Rancel Varga will have Dominique Gabito as a new partner and Alche Gupitero as a new player as the Tiger Sands play the Blue Eagles' Jian Salarzon, Amil Pacinio, and Tim Batac at 10 a.m., and the Fighting Maroons' Angelo Lipata, Christian Pitogo, and Leonard Alba at 5 p.m. Varga's long-time partner Jaron Requinton has already graduated.
James Buytrago and Pol Salvador, along with third player Alexander Iraya, hope to bring the Bulldogs back on top as they face the Tamaraws' JJ Javelona, Vincent Nadera, and Herald Domingo at 10:45 a.m. and the Green Spikers' Andre Espejo, Vince Maglinao, and Von Marata at 5:45 p.m.
The Falcons' Francis Casas, Dan Gutierrez, and Mustadil Laja will tangle with the Fighting Maroons in the resumption of men's action at 2 p.m., while the Red Warriors' Jake Abria, Allen Buensalida, and Julian Celestial and the Green Spikers collide at 2:45 p.m.
The tournament format calls for a single-round robin format with the top four teams making it to the knockout Final Four on Nov. 28.
The winners will advance to the one-match Final in the afternoon, while the losers will face off in the bronze medal match.