National University ended a seven-year drought for a Final Four appearance after eliminating the woeful University of Santo Tomas in a come-from-behind, 67-57, win in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 men's basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena on Sunday.

The Bulldogs, who went down by as many as 11 in the first half, used a 12-0 rally midway in the fourth quarter to secure their fourth straight victory to keep a tight hold of the second spot with a 9-3 win-loss record.

NU thus joined defending champion University of the Philippines in the semifinals and is now in a good position to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage.

John Lloyd Clemente scored 19 points including a big trey that capped NU's decisive run that finally silenced UST with just under two minutes left.

"Bad win for us but still naka-survive kami sa lintek na UST na 'to. UST is playing with no pressure. They played their hearts out. They gave us a headache but good thing in the second half we were able to come back. We regrouped to get the win," Bulldogs coach Jeff Napa said.

Omar John added 12 markers while Kean Baclaan scattered 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and a steal for the Bulldogs, who started out flat and went behind, 25-36, with 6:30 left in the second period.

Down 52-54, NU strung 12 straight points with Clemente hitting the dagger three-pointer to give the Bulldogs a commanding 64-54 lead with 1:51 left in the ballgame.

UST absorbed its 10th straight defeat in 11 games despite the 20-point, six-rebound effort of Nic Cabañero.

Adama Faye posted a double-double of 11 markers and 15 boards in a losing cause for the Tigers.

Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University crawled out of a 19-point hole using another strong second half performance to stun Far Eastern University, 71-65, and secure at least a playoff for a Final Four seat.