NATIONAL University moved on the cusp of securing an outright Finals berth after beating Far Eastern University, 24-26, 25-17, 25-19, 25-10, in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Later, University of Santo Tomas clinched its second straight Final Four appearance at the expense of winless University of the East, 26-24, 25-18, 25-19.

The Lady Bulldogs will go for a perfect 14-0 campaign as they play the Tigresses in the final matchday of the double-round eliminations at 4 p.m. tomorrow at the same Pasay venue.

Coach Karl DImaculangan rued on NU’s sluggish start which it cannot afford in the elims finale against UST, which is not only trying to force a Final Four but also to stay in the hunt for the twice-to-beat incentive.

“Yun yung consequence pag hindi kami naglaro nang maayos, hindi kami nag effort,” said Dimaculangan, as the Lady Tamaraws were able to stole the opener before losing the next three sets.

“Yung mga ganong game yun yung nire-remind ko sa kanila na hindi kami pwede maging complacent kahit sinong kalaban, good thing na lang din nakarecover kami.”

Mhicaela Belen led the Lady Bulldogs with 18 kills, nine receptions and eight digs, Sheena Toring had three blocks for a 12-point outing while Alyssa Solomon added 10 points.

NU playmaker Camilla Lamina tossed in 25 excellent sets to go with team-best two service aces, while libero Jen Nierva collected 18 digs and 12 receptions.

The Tigresses improved to 9-4, as they need to beat the Lady Bulldogs to avoid getting the twice-to-beat disadvantage in the Final Four.

UST remains a game behind the No. 2 spot after La Salle outlasted Ateneo, 19-25, 25-18, 20-25, 25-22, 15-12, in a thrilling rivalry game.

The Lady Spikers, who rose to 10-3 record, have already assured themselves of a playoff for the twice-to-beat bonus in either the Final Four or step-ladder formats.

Baby Jyne Soreño shone again for La Salle with 17 points, Alleiah Malaluan also scored 17 points to go with 13 receptions and 12 digs, while Jolina dela Cruz added 14 points.

The Blue Eagles encountered a bump in their Final Four bid after absorbing a sixth loss in 13 matches.

Faith Nisperos followed up her career-high 31 points in last Saturday’s five-set win against Adamson with 29 points to go with 15 receptions while Erika Raagas contributed 17 points, including two blocks.

Ypril Tapia took the scoring mantle for UST with 13 kills, Eya Laure came through with 12 points, 12 receptions, and seven digs, while KC Galdones chipped in 11 points.

Assistant coach Yani Fernandez, who took the helm as the head mentor Kungfu Reyes was not around for personal reasons, saw the Tigresses overcame a rough patch in the opener before completing the straight-set romp.

“Yung composure din kasi ng mga bata nangyayari talaga yan. Ni-remind na lang din namin na simula’t sapul aggressive sila all the time,” said

The Lady Tamaraws and the Lady Warriors fell to 1-12 and 0-13 records, respectively.