UST Tigresses during a game against UE Lady Warriors in UAAP Season 87.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–University of Santo Tomas bolstered its chances for a coveted twice-to-beat advantage after sweeping University of the East, 25-19, 25-16, 25-15, in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The victory tied UST with Far Eastern University, another team gunning for the last semifinal armor, at No. 3 with identical 8-4 records. The win also closed the door on Adamson’s Final Four hopes.

Facing the league doormats, the Tigresses gained control early and never letup.

READ: UAAP: Rookie Kyla Cordora helps UST move closer to Final Four

“‘Yung respeto namin dun sa team ng UE andon naman. Kaya pinaghandaan pa rin namin,” UST coach KungFu Reyes said. “And ang maganda naman nabigyan namin ng magandang exposure yung ibang mga players namin and nakapag-deliver naman.”

The Lady Warriors never had a chance even with Santo Tomas giving away a set worth of errors.

The duo of Angge Poyos and Regina Jurado led the charge anew for UST with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Kyla Cordora made the most out of her extended minutes with eight points.

READ: UAAP: Marga Altea makes most of her minutes for UST

Jurado paired up with captain Detdet Pepito to catch 10 excellent digs each to push UST, currently on a three-game run, closer to a fifth straight Final Four appearance. Cassie Carballo dished out 14 excellent sets.

UST faces University of the Philippines next before taking on familiar foe National University to cap its elimination round campaign.

UE remained winless, suffering its 13th consecutive defeat. Van Bangayan was the leading scorer for the Lady Warriors with only six points while middle blocker Riza Nogales added five.