MANILA, Philippines – University of the Philippines (UP) bolstered its Final 4 bid on Sunday with a stunning four-set victory over National University (NU) in the UAAP Season 79 women's volleyball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Lady Maroons used a balanced effort to down the Lady Bulldogs, 25-14, 25-27, 25-21, 25-12, and improve to 7-5. UP and NU are now tied for a share of fourth place, just behind University of Santo Tomas (7-4).

Former UP skipper Kathy Bersola had 14 points, including eight kill blocks – several of which came at the expense of NU star Jaja Santiago. Sophomores Isa Molde and Diana Carlos had 14 points each, with Molde firing four service aces.

It was UP's first win against a Final 4 contender in the second round, and allowed them to gain a measure of revenge against NU. The Lady Bulldogs outlasted the Lady Maroons in a five-set war when they met in the first round.

"Hindi 'yung bawi 'yung main focus. (Ang focus is) 'yung mag-perform sila ng every game, since crucial ang last three games," said UP assistant coach Rald Ricafort. "Medyo paulit-ulit, pero 'yun talaga. Every game, kailangan namin i-minimize 'yung naging errors na nagpatalo sa amin nang sunod-sunod before."

[We were not thinking about avenging our loss. We were focused on performing every game, since the last three games are crucial. We just want to minimize the errors that led us to consecutive losses.]

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UP won the opening set comfortably, but NU recovered in the second set behind Santiago, who spearheaded their net defense while also attacking from the backrow. Back-to-back aces by setter Jasmine Nabor pushed NU ahead, 22-21, paving the way for a back-and-forth finish.

NU reached set point first, 24-23, off a crosscourt kill by Jorelle Singh, but a trick play by UP setter Ayel Estrañero and a mishit by Singh made it a 25-24 advantage for the Lady Maroons. Unfortunately for UP, Marian Buitre committed an attack error, Risa Sato rejected Buitre in her next attack, and Nabor's down-the-line kill finished off the job for the Lady Bulldogs.

The Lady Maroons regained their bearings in the third set and appeared to be cruising to victory, even leading by as much as 12 points, 18-6. They were still up 20-11 when Santiago moved to the front row and proceeded to anchor a 9-0 run through her blocking, as she rejected several attacks from Carlos. UP did not help its cause as it struggled with poor reception. Indeed, an ace by Aiko Urdas tied the set at 20.

UP ended the frame on a 5-1 spurt, however, with Molde sealing the deal by blocking Audrey Paran.

It was all UP from that point on, as they simply overpowered the Lady Bulldogs in the fourth set.

"Medyo naging efficient ang mga attacks, kaya ganoon ang kinalabasan [Our attacks were efficient]," said Ricafort, after UP tallied 42 attacks to NU's 25.

Santiago finished with 18 points, 10 off attacks and seven off blocks, while Urdas added 12 markers. However, the players who shone in NU's five-set win in the first round – Singh and Sato – combined for only five points in the loss.

The Lady Bulldogs were playing without head coach Roger Gorayeb, who was attending his child's graduation ceremony on Sunday.

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