MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas (UST) completed a golden double in the UAAP Season 79 beach volleyball tournament as they ruled both the women's and men's divisions on Sunday at the Sands SM By the Bay.

The Tigresses became the most successful squad in the sport as Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez lifted their team to a fourth championship after a 21-17, 21-10 victory over Far Eastern University's (FEU) Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienze in the championship decider.

UST actually came short of a perfect season as they lost Game 2 of the best-of-three series, 21-17, 17-21, 13-15, earlier in the day. Rondina and Gutierrez, however, won't be denied in their march to the throne.

• READ: UST nears twin beach volleyball title sweep

"Yung last season kasi, wala na 'yun. It's another chapter naman," said Rondina, who won her second MVP award in three years.

"Noong nagbago ang coaching staff at ang partner ko, sinabi ng coach namin na ito ang panibagong libro, ang front page," she added.

"'Yung mga pages po, ito ang training namin. Ito (championship) ang last page namin."

UST banked on a strong start in the second frame of Game 3, as Rondina scored the first five points of the set and nailed the championship-clinching attack to seal the deal.

Rondina praised her new partner Gutierrez for a job well done all season long.

"Si Ate Jem, sobrang masunurin talaga kahit senior ko siya," said Rondina, who teamed up with RJ Rivera when the Tigresses won the crown in Season 77.

Meanwhile, the Growling Tigers completed a perfect 9-0 season, as MVP KR Guzman and Anthony Arbasto downed the FEU Tamaraws' pair of Jude Garcia and Jeremiah Barrica, 21-16, 21-16, in Game 2.

UST has now won three men's championships, tying FEU and National University for the most number of titles in beach volleyball.

As a measure of consolation for the Tamaraws, Barrica was named Rookie of the Year.

"Grabe ang puso nila na maglaro. Nag-cramps sila (noong Game 1), ang sakit na noon, pero nag-push pa rin sila. Malaki ang respeto namin sa FEU. Mga bata pa (sila), may panahon rin sila," said Guzman of the Tamaraws.

The triumph ended the Tigers' heartbreak of being bridesmaids for the past three seasons.

"'Yun ang nag-drive sa akin to push further na makukuha ko ang gusto ko," said Guzman.

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