Defending champion National University inched closer to completing an elimination round sweep in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 86 women's tennis tournament following a 3-2 thriller against the University of Santo Tomas on Saturday at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center.

The Lady Bulldogs, who moved to a 7-0 record, will face the De La Salle University Lady Green Tennisters on Sunday for a huge momentum heading into the Finals, thanks to reigning Most Valuable Player Mae Bornia and Alliah Ragunton.

The two NU seniors showcased their tenacity and rallied from a set down to produce a thrilling 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory against UST's Minette Bentillo and Justine Maneja, securing the overall win for NU.

Elsie Abarquez started it off for the holders with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 work against Female Tennister Patricia Lim with a 6-1, 6-3. Angela Cabaral and Rovie Baulete survived a grueling exchange with UST's Princess Gom-os and Miles Vitaliano, 7-6, 5-7, 7-5, for a 2-0 lead.

Rookie Kaye Emana, though, got one back for the España-based squad with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 turnaround against Danna Abad in the second singles match.

The UST Female Tennisters remain in second place with a 5-2 card, but will need to win against the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday to secure the second Finals berth outright.

UP stopped Ateneo de Manila University, 3-2, in the day's other tie to remain alive for a second straight championship series appearance.

Anica Cari and Jonamil Prado overwhelmed Ateneo's Zaina Omar and Tricia Howard with the doubles bagel, 6-0, 6-0, in the second doubles match, to seal the Fighting Maroons' fourth win against three defeats.

UP captain Tricia Velez dominated Ateneo's Chelsea Roque, 6-0, 6-1, to set the tone for her squad, but Faye Dizon leveled the playing field for the Blue Eagles by defeating Achaia Cabahug, 6-1, 6-0.

Last year's Rookie of the Year Joshea Malazarte and Jesha Cervantes, though, reclaimed UP's advantage with a 6-3, 6-3 work past Yam Garsin and Althea Martirez in the first doubles match to set up Cari and Prado's clincher.