Santo Tomas, NU on track for Final 4 bonus

MANILA, Philippines — Final Four-bound Santo Tomas and National U clobbered their respective foes and kept their footing in the tightrope race for the twice-to-beat bonus in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Golden Tigresses, even without Angeline Poyos, drubbed also-ran University of the Philippines, 25-14, 25-13, 28-30, 25-15, to reclaim the solo lead as the Lady Bulldogs blanked Ateneo, 25-22, 25-16, 25-15, to stay at No. 3.

Santo Tomas zoomed to 10-1 while NU remained unbeaten in the second round with a 9-2 slate with three games to go in their elims schedule.

Included in the remaining slates for both squads is title holder La Salle, which sits just between them at 9-1 in a three-way contest for the two win-once incentives in the Final Four.

The Golden Tigresses moved closer to that goal behind the efforts of Jonna Perdido and Regina Jurado, who stepped up in the absence of Poyos due to dehydration with 24 points apiece.

Later, top MVP contender Bella Belen misfired with only two points on 1-of-18 attacking percentage but Alyssa Solomon (23) and Vange Alinsug (15) made up for it to show the way for the rampaging NU.

It’s the fourth straight win for the Lady Bulldogs entering a heavyweight battle with the Lady Spikers this Sunday with major Top-Two implications on the line.

The Golden Tigresses, meanwhile, will face the Lady Spikers in the last elimination playdate on April 27.