BACK-TO-BACK title-seeking National University avenged its first round loss to University of Santo Tomas and inched a step closer in securing the remaining twice-to-beat slot in the Final Four with a 25-16, 25-21, 17-25, 25-14 in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the packed Filoil EcoOil Centre.

In a match-up that has a throwback feels, where their decorated girls high school teams of reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen and league-leading scorer Eya Laure had memorable battles at the San Juan arena several years ago, the Lady Bulldogs flipped the switch in the fourth set after the Tigresses stayed in the match in the third to secure their 10th win against three losses.

“I think mas competitive po ngayon collegiate and yung crowd, grabe talaga. Hindi naman po ganito yung crowd namin noong high school.

Halos parang kalahati lang po. Siguro dagdag din po iyon kasi para sa amin, nakaka-boost din iyon kung paano kami maglalaro eh. Na may nakikitang sumusuporta sa amin,” said Belen, who was part of the Bullpups team that defeated Laure’s Junior Tigresses for a four-peat in 2018.

Although the Lady Bulldogs were able to get back from their first round defeat to the Tigresses, 23-25, 25-27, 25-17, 25-22, 11-15, that snapped a 20-match winning streak, Laure savored the moment, bringing back good memories at the San Juan venue.

“Siyempre masaya. Masaya sa both parties kasi kung sino yung naglaro noong time namin, halos sila din yung naglalaro sa kabila eh. So heto na nga, sinabi nga ni coach (Kungfu Reyes) na kung ano yung programa ng NU na nagdala sa college, ito din ang programa rin ng UST na nadala rin namin sa college,” said Laure.

NU’s victory opened a one-game cushion over joint third placers Adamson and UST, both sporting 9-4 records, in the chase for the No. 2 ranking.

“We’re very happy po na kung ano yung napagtraining-an namin at napagplanuhan namin ay nadala namin ngayong game. We’re happy na isang game na lang makukuha na namin yung twice-to-beat. One game at a time and we’ll get there,” said Belen, who finished with 16 points, including three blocks, and 12 receptions.

Alyssa Solomon took the scoring mantle for the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points, while rookie Vangie Alinsug chipped in 10 points.

NU will secure the twice-to-beat bonus if it beats already-eliminated Ateneo on Saturday.

Eya Laure still paced the Tigresses with 17 points but had to bleed on attacks, going 15-of-43, while Imee Hernandez had five blocks to finish with 14 points.

In a duel of also-rans, University of the East finally entered the win column and ended a 11-year, 17-match losing skid against University of the Philippines with a 16-25, 25-21, 26-24, 19-25, 15-12 victory.

Khy Cepada came through with 19 points, including two blocks and 13 digs, fellow rookie Van Bangayan added 15 points and 17 digs while Ja Lana was the other Lady Warrior in double digits with 10 points, including the match winner.

UE wraps up its season against La Salle, which is already assured of the top ranking in the Final Four on Saturday.

“Kahit No. 1 sa standing, baka makapuwing kami,” said coach Jumbo Dimaculangan after the Lady Warriors ended a 12-match winning streak.

Steph Bustrillo led the Fighting Maroons with 21 points, including two blocks and two service aces, Niña Ytang had three blocks for a 10-point effort while Abi Goc scored 10 points, including three service aces, and 15 digs.

It was UP’s defeat to UE since Jan. 15, 2012, a 20-25, 20-25, 21-25 second round setback.

Earlier, reigning men’s champion NU moved closer in jumping straight to the Finals with a 19-25, 25-22, 18-25, 25-21 victory over UST.

Kenry Malinis powered the Bulldogs in maintaining their clean slate to 13-0 with 16 points, while Nico Almendras and rookie Mike Buddin each scored 13 points.

NU, which has won 31 consecutive matches since 2019, shoots for the outright Finals berth on Saturday against an Ateneo side fighting for its Final Four lives.

After conquering the Golden Spikers, who dropped to 10-3 with their second consecutive loss, the Bulldogs are now setting their sights on the Blue Eagles.

“Naging labanan ito ng service receive, kung sino ang mas mataas ang percentage doon yun ang naging barometer ng game. Thankful kami sa naging performance ng players namin kahit may konting lapses namin hindi sila bumibigay,” said NU coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“Kailangan namin paghandaan (ang Ateneo) kasi doon nakasalalay ang magiging ranking nila so alam namin magiging agresibo sila kaya kailangan pang pag-aralan ulit,” he added.

Congo’s Obed Mukaba logged eight blocks, one shy of matching his season-high to finish with 12 points while setter Josh Retamar tossed in 19 excellent sets, scored two of his six points from blocks and collected eight digs.

Josh Ybañez had 19 kills and five digs while GBoy de Vega chipped in 12 points, including two service aces, and 22 receptions for UST.