REIGNING champion National University put a dent in Far Eastern University's Final Four hopes with a 25-21, 25-14, 25-23 win, to remain in the logjam for the second spot in the UAAP Season 85 women's volleyball tournament at the Philsports Arena in Pasig, Sunday.
The Lady Bulldogs survived a Lady Tamaraws stand in the first and third sets to improve to 8-3.
NU joined Adamson University and University of Santo Tomas in second.
Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws slid to 5-6 which sent them on the brink of elimination.
NU's victory - the third straight - also gave De La Salle University a free ride to the Final Four, while officially eliminating Ateneo from the race.
The Blue Eagles will miss the Final Four for the first time since Season 71 (2008-09).
"Yung problema kasi kami, yung error namin so yun nga palagi naming nireremind na kapag yung game dikitan, kailangan all-out kami. Yun siguro yung kinapitan namin para manalo kami nung first and third set," said NU captain Cess Robles.
The Lady Bulldogs were put to test early when the Lady Tamaraws took an 18-17 lead in the first salvo but Alyssa Solomon powered them to avoid disaster, 25-21.
It was an entirely different NU in the second set though as it just left FEU at bay with a dominant performance, 25-14.
The Lady Tamaraws rediscovered their form and threatened to snatch third, 23-21, before two straight crucial errors to tie the game.
Then reigning MVP Mhicaela Belen and Robles connected on back-to-back hits to end the match in one hour and 42 minutes.
Solomon uncorked 18 points while Belen and Vange Alinsug chimed in 14 and 12 points, respectively.
Chenie Tagaod and Jovs Fernandez were the highest scorers for the Lady Tamaraws with seven points apiece while Mitzi Panangin and Alyzza Devosora had six and five points, respectively.
FEU will look to stay alive on Wednesday when it faces Ateneo while NU will next play on Saturday against University of the East.