MANILA – University of Sto. Tomas (UST) slammed the door on Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), 70-45, to complete the Final Four cast in the 72nd UAAP women’s basketball on Wednesday at the FEU Gym.

The Tigresses drew a big numbers from veteran Ann Leonardo, who hit a game-high 23 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field. This is aside from her five of six from the foul line.

UST scored 23 points in 35 free throw attempts while ADMU could only muster three markers in 11 tries on the 15-foot line.

The glaring disparity at the stripes helped UST notch its seventh win in 12 outings.

The Lady Blue Eagles absorbed their eight loss in 12 games, dropped out of contention for the Final Four race.

Meanwhile, defending champion Far Eastern University (FEU) and Adamson University (AdU) maintained their 1-2 rankings by disposing separate foes. The wins boosted their bid for the twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

FEU scored a 75-36 rout of cellar-dweller University of the East while AdU held off National University to escape with a 72-61 victory.

Raiza Palmera’s 21 points led the balanced attack of the Lady Tamaraws, who hiked their record to 11-1.

The second running Lady Falcons went to twin towers Anna Buendia and Analyn Almasan to improve their ledger to 10-2.

Buendia finished with 19 points and nine rebounds while Almasan collected 14 points and 15 boards for Adamson.

In the other match, the De La Salle (DLSU) Lady Archers remained in the hunt for the semis bonus after getting their ninth win in 12 games.

DLSU creamed the University of the Philippines, 72-36, using a big second quarter spurt.