DEFENDING champion National University and Adamson formalized their Final Four entry while remaining on course for the twice-to-beat bonus after repulsing also-ran foes in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

Reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen fired six of her 21 points from the service zone as the Lady Bulldogs pulled off a dominant 25-5, 25-15, 25-13 win over winless University of the East to secure their second straight Final Four berth.

The Lady Falcons entered the Final Four for the first time in nine years following a 25-22, 27-25, 23-25, 25-15 romp of University of the Philippines.

NU and Adamson improved to 9-3 and 9-4 records, respectively, keeping the race with idle University of Santo Tomas (8-3) for the No. 2 spot too close to call.

The Lady Bulldogs produced a masterclass, dominating the Lady Warriors in attacks (34-17), service aces (13-1), and blocks (9-1).

“We are very happy lang po na na-apply namin yung napag-trainingan namin. Lalo na po yung sa service, which is dapat hindi na kami masyadong mag-error,” said Belen, who went 13-of-25 spikes and had two of her team’s nine blocks.

“Naging advantage sa amin kasi na-minimize namin yung mga errors and tuloy-tuloy lang sa gameplan namin,” she added.

NU raced to a 9-0 lead en route in winning the opening set, where UE matched this season’s lowest scoring output in a set with five.

With the Lady Warriors offering token resistance, the Lady Bulldogs were able to give seldom-used players more court time.

Alyssa Solomon had eight points while Vangie Alinsug added six points and seven digs for NU.

Lucille Almonte had a solid all-around game for the Lady Falcons with 13 kills, 20 digs and 10 receptions, Trisha Tubu hammered 11 kills while Lorene Toring also had 11 points, including three blocks.

Adamson last reached the Final Four in the 2013-14 season behind Bang Pineda and is determined to go deeper in coach Jerry Yee’s first year in San Marcelino.

“Sobrang happy kasi nine years, ngayon lang ulit kami nakapasok ng Final Four. Hindi kami pwedeng mag-stop there dahil marami pang games na pwedeng laruin,” said outside hitter Lucille Almonte, as the Lady Falcons rebounded from last year’s heartbreak of not making it to the top four.

Niña Ytang had four blocks for a 15-point outing while Jewel Encarnacion also scored 15 points and collected 10 digs for the Fighting Maroons, who suffered their 11th loss in 12 matches.

Van Bangayan led the Lady Warriors with seven points and five digs while Ja Lana contributed five kills and nine receptions.

In men’s action, Adamson came back from two sets down to frustrate fellow also-ran UP, 22-25, 27-29, 30-28, 25-21, 15-12, and earn its second win of the season.

The Fighting Maroons were already at match point in the third frame, 24-21, but Pau Paulino presided a late Falcons fightback to extend the match.

Francis Casas and Jude Aguilar then starred in the deciding set for Adamson to complete the come-from-behind win in two hours and 54 minutes.

“Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, hindi naman natatapos sa two sets ang laro eh basta kailangan lang nila hanggang dulo lumaban sila. Nakikita naman namin yung potential nila during training,” said coach George Pascua, after the Falcons ended a five-match slide and improve to 2-11.

Josh Magalaman led Adamson with 20 points, including three blocks, Casas delivered 18 points and 16 receptions, while Aguilar had five blocks for a 17-point showing and collected nine digs.

Louis Gamban came with 21 points, 30 receptions, and seven digs while Ranz Cajolo added 20 points, including three blocks, for UP, which dropped to last place at 1-11.