The NU-Nazareth girls volleyball team in UAAP Season 87. UAAP Media

MANILA -- National University-Nazareth School took down Far Eastern University-Diliman to take the top spot in the UAAP Season 87 girls' volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Lady Bullpups emerged triumphant in a battle of Final 4-bound teams, claiming a 25-21, 25-17, 25-20 result to improve to 9-1 in the tournament.

They are now a game ahead of University of Santo Tomas (8-2) in the league standings.

The Junior Tigresses also won on Wednesday, cruising past UP Integrated School, 25-13, 25-13, 25-22.

Also triumphant were the defending champions Adamson, which overpowered Ateneo 25-11, 25-13, 25-10. The Baby Falcons improved to 7-3, tied with FEU-Diliman for a share of third and fourth places.

The Lady Bullpups took advantage of the Baby Tamaraws' lapses in the second set to put up the 2-0 cushion.

NUNS, with a two-set advantage, remained composed even after FEU-D came to within one, 18-19, in the third after a solid block by Cath Umal.

Last season's runners-up scored three unanswered to get to match point before Diza Berayo ended the hour-long match with a crosscourt kill.

"Magandang bagay kasi ngayon yung second round nagpepeak na yung team unti-unti. But hindi kami pwedeng maging complacent pa rin. Kailangan pa namin trabawin hanggang matapos, hanggang sa final four." said Lady Bullpups' head coach Ray Dimaculangan.

Harlyn Serneche led the NUNS with 16 points on 15 attacks and an ace, while Berayo also stepped up with 10 points, all from attacks.

Raine Alonzo paced FEU-D with 13 points on 12 attacks and an ace, as Franz Premaylon contributed seven attack points.

Despite controlling the first two sets, the Junior Tigresses received stern resistance from the Junior Fighting Maroons in the third.

UPIS carved a 6-0 run courtesy of consecutive service aces by Khloe Long and a solid block by Janella Guarino to put the set at 16-12.

UST then went back to basics and finished with a 13-6 run, capping it off with a Jairah Silvestre drop shot from the middle.

"Well, okay lang naman. In today's game, syempre mas marami yung exposure for our second unit. So yun naman din yung plano ng team namin na to give a chance and exposure for our second unit. So, yun nga, magkaroon sila ng more confidence sa mga galaw at sarili nila," said UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez.

Jheliane Auxtero led UST's balanced offense with eight points on seven attacks, and an ace, while team captain Jai Adrao chipped in seven attacks.

On the other hand, Janella Guarino topped the Junior Fighting Maroons with 10 points, seven in attacks and three aces.

Ellaine Gonzalvo soared for the Baby Falcons with 12 points on three attacks, eight service aces, and a block. Sam Cantada chipped in eight points, all from attacks, and Abi Segui with five.

Rian Ardidon powered the still-winless Blue Eagles with six points on five attacks and an ace.