Back-to-back title seeking University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University clinched twice-to-beat advantage in the men's Final Four after topping their respective opponents Sunday in the UAAP Season 82 beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay.
Jaron Requinton and Rancel Varga of the Tiger Spikers prevailed over De La Salle's Vince Maglinao and Ian Jumandos, 21-9, 21-12, while Jude Garcia and Kevin Hadlocon of the Tamaraws bested UE's Jake Abria and Lloyd Josafat, 21-12, 21-13.
Undefeated in six matches, UST and FEU clash in a rematch of last year's Finals at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. The winner will claim the No. 1 ranking in the semifinals, while the loser will settle for No. 2.
“Mas pukpok po yung training namin kasi yun nga po, defending champion po kami kaya hindi easy-easy,” said Requinton.
Unlike in the previous seasons, the team that sweeps the seven-match elims will not gain an outright passage to the title round.
NU and Adamson University, meanwhile, claimed the remaining two semis slots after posting straight-set wins.
James Natividad and James Buytrago powered the Bulldogs to their third straight win and the fourth overall in six matches while eliminating University of the Philippines' Niccolo Consuelo and Louis Gamban in the process with a 21-16, 21-12 decision.
The Falcons' Leo Miranda and Jesus Valdez also improved to 4-2 following a 21-12, 21-19 conquest Ateneo's Abai Llenos and Kurt Aguilar.
The Fighting Maroons fell to their third successive defeat and the fourth overall in six matches.
The Green Spikers and the Red Warriors dropped to 1-5, while the Blue Eagles go down at 0-6.