Tigers roar inside the volleyball court

University of Santo Tomas made 2009 the Year of the Tiger after its men’s and women’s teams copped titles in different tournaments with the Tigresses highlighting it by sweeping the first and second conference of Shakey’s V-League’s Season 6. UST began the year with the UAAP Season 71 men’s volleyball crown, its second straight, when they swept University of the Philippines in the Finals last March. The Tigers’ title conquest was part of a 21-game winning streak where they remain unbeaten for almost two years. That winning run streak began in Game 3 of the 2007 Finals against Far Eastern U and, ironically, ended by the Tamaraws on Dec. 15. The Tigers are currently on top of the standings in UAAP Season 72.

The Tigresses then brought their UAAP frustration to the Shakey’s V-League court and celebrated with a double victory by sweeping both conferences of Season 6. It was the fifth V-League title for UST and eighth finals appearance since the tournament began in 2004. The Tigresses demolished San Sebastian College in the first conference with a big comeback by sweeping the last two games of the Finals after the Lady Stags won Game One. They completed the title sweep with a 2-0 win over the Adamson Lady Falcons in the second conference’s best-of-three Finals. Rhea Dimaculangan was named first conference regular season most valuable player (MVP) while Maika Ortiz bagged the Finals MVP plum. Aiza Maizo won both MVP titles in the second conference. The Lady Stags bounced back in their own turf when they conquered the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers for the NCAA women’s crown. It was San Sebastian’s 21st overall crown in the women’s division. The men’s title was hoisted by Letran College while University of Perpetual Help System DALTA topped the junior’s class. Over at the UAAP high school tournament, UE won its seventh straight and ninth overall title in the boys’ class while UST topped the girl’s division for their third consecutive and fifth overall. – GMANews.TV