MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured a semifinal berth in the UAAP Season 87 girls' beach volleyball tournament after defeating Adamson University on Sunday.

UST's Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar triumphed over Adamson's Ella Gonzalvo and Maegan Pineda, 21-10, 23-21, at Sands SM by the Bay in Pasay City.

Aiming for a three-peat, UST improved to 3-1, tied with Far Eastern University-Diliman (FEU-D) for second.

National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) took solo leadership at 4-0 after Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao defeated FEU-D's Sheena Cafe and Sheena Pascual, 21-17, 21-14.

University of the Philippines Integrated School (UPIS) claimed its first win as Janella Guarino and rookie Anya Capus beat De La Salle-Zobel's Aislinn Alemaña and Kylie Celada, 21-15, 21-16.

The Junior Fighting Maroons and Baby Falcons, both at 1-3, will vie for the last semis slot on Friday.

In the boys' division, UST (4-0) strengthened its semifinal bid as Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao overpowered UPIS' Terren Villanueva and Marcus Bamba, 21-4, 21-5.

Reigning champion NUNS earned its third win following Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan's 21-7, 21-11 domination of De La Salle-Zobel's Antonio Papa and Mario Roxas.

Adamson joined NUNS in second place at 3-1 after Brice Malinao and Gian Ygot beat University of the East's Clarence Gianan and Buenaventura Limpin, 21-10, 21-15.

In other matches, FEU-D's Zedrick Calimlim and Sam Coronel crushed Ateneo's Ken Nicolas and Santiago Avila, 21-7, 21-5.

The Baby Tamaraws and Junior Green Spikers share identical 2-2 records while the Junior Warriors and Junior Fighting Maroons are at 1-3. (PNA)