National University ended a two-game slide as it overpowered University of the East, 25-18, 25-18, 25-13, Sunday in the UAAP Season 81 high school volleyball tournament at the FEU-Diliman Gym.
Faith Nisperos had six service aces to finish with 11 points, while reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen added nine hits and five digs to help NU finish the eliminations as the No. 1 team with a 10-2 card.
Angel Canino had 16 hits, while Alleiah Malaluan fired two service aces to also finish with 16 points to go with eight digs as De La Salle-Zobel also ended up with 10 wins and two losses following a 25-22, 25-15, 23-25, 25-16 victory over Far Eastern University-Diliman.
But the Junior Lady Spikers will settle for the No. 2 spot due to less match points.
Renee Lou Penafiel had three service aces for a 17-point outing, while Imee Hernandez added 16 points and seven digs as University of Santo Tomas bested Adamson University, 25-23, 25-22, 25-18.
The Junior Tigresses clinched the No. 3 ranking in the Final Four with a 8-4 slate, while the Baby Falcons wound up fourth at 7-5.
In the semifinals, NU and De La Salle-Zobel will hold twice-to-beat incentives against Adamson University and UST, respectively.
In the boys’ division, FEU-Diliman foiled NU’s bid to jump straight to the Finals with a 21-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-21 win.
Titleholder UST eliminated UE, 19-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-7, allowing Adamson University, which turned back De La Salle-Zobel, 25-19, 25-17, 21-25, 25-15, to clinch the last Final Four berth.
The Bullpups ended up at 13-1 and will hold the twice-to-beat advantage against the 9-5 Baby Falcons in the Final Four. The Tiger Cubs and the Baby Tamaraws play in the other pairing, although both teams will go up in the playoff for the remaining semis incentive as they ended up tied at 10-4.
Ateneo nipped UP Integrated School, 24-26, 25-23, 25-14, 24-26, 15-13, for its second win of the season.
