National University fended off Adamson in four sets, 25-20, 25-17, 13-25, 25-13, to clinch the first twice-to-beat advantage in the UAAP Season 84 women's volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City Thursday night, June 2.
The Lady Bulldogs remained atop the standings with a perfect 11-0 record.
Alyssa Solomon spearheaded NU's balanced attack with 20 points powered by 17 spikes and three service aces while Michaela Belen fired 18 markers off 16 attacks.
Team captain Princess Robles and Ivy Lacsina also hammered down 12 and 10 points, respectively, while, Camilla Lamina tossed 26 excellent sets and Jen Nierva had 17 receptions and 16 digs.
Lady Bulldogs head coach Karl Dimaculangan said the win serves as a confidence booster heading into the Final Four.
"Parang looking forward na nga rin kami sa Final Four kaya kami nag pe-prepare talaga nang maayos, kailangan naming gumalaw na parang, as if hindi namin iniintindi yung standing," said Dimaculangan.
After crumbling in the third set, NU turned the tables by handing Adamson the opposite score as Solomon, Belen, and Lacsina connived down the stretch.
Already ahead by 10 points, 23-13, Solomon soared for an off-the-block hit before Lacsina iced the game.
Trisha Genesis was limited to eight points while May Ann Nuique and Kirch Macaslang added seven markers apiece for the Lady Falcons, who shared fourth place with the Ateneo Blue Eagles with twin 6-5 records.
The Blue Eagles capped the quadruple-header on a high note after routing the winless University of the East Lady Warriors, 25-16, 25-22, 25-11.
Ateneo stepped on the gas in the third set after UE tried to show some resistance in the first two innings.
But the reigning champions, led by Vannie Gandler and Faith Nisperos, were too much for the Lady Warriors as the Eagles improved their standing in the rankings heading into the Final Four.
Gandler topscored for Ateneo with 15 points off 14 attacks while Nisperos hit 12 spikes for 13 markers.
Ja Lana paced UE, which remained winless in 11 straight games, with 11 points all coming from attacks.