The Varsitarian

September 18, 2011, 7:34 p.m. - THE LADY Spikers won the UAAP beach volleyball title after disposing of the Ateneo de Manila University team in their best-of-three series, 21-19, 21-16, at the University of the East-Caloocan sand courts this morning.

The men’s duo of Jayson Ramos and Mark Alfafara settled for first runner-up after losing to the defending champion Far Eastern University, 14-21, 17-21.

Maruja Banaticla battled through leg cramps and teamed up with Judy Caballejo to give the Lady Spikers their first championship since 2006.

“We trusted each other that we can win the game,” said Caballejo, this year’s MVP.

Ateneo fought hard in the second set and forced the 10th ;deadlock at 11 apiece. But Banaticla and Caballejo quickly regrouped and regained the lead for UST, 16-13, first with a tip shot and later with back-to-back kills. Alexis U. Cerado