Defending champion La Salle streaked to its fifth straight win by trouncing University of the Philippines, 25-18, 26-24, 25-14, Saturday in the 72nd UAAP women's volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan.

Stephanie Mercado continued her fiery offensive prowess with 18 points while Charleen Cruz added 13 as the Lady Archers remained as the only team without a loss by repulsing the Lady Maroons in 68 minutes.

The Taft-based volleybelles wasted a five-point lead in the second set when UP took a 24-23 lead and were on the verge of tying the match. But Cruz answered with a key hit before Mercado made two booming spikes to steal the set.

Carmela Lopez and Carmina Barcelon had 14 and 10 points apiece for the Lady Maroons, who slipped to a record of 1-4.

Earlier, reigning men’s titlist University of Santo Tomas needed just 59 minutes in mauling University of the East, 27-25, 25-18, 25-15, for its fourth win in five outings.

Henry Pecana and Salvador Depante had 14 and 13 points, apiece, as the Tigers bounced back from a shocking setback to Far Eastern University that snapped their immaculate 21-game winning streak.

In the other contest, Adamson defeated La Salle, 25-22, 25-14, 25-22, also in 59 minutes on Nino Jeruz's 12 points and John Hendrix Compentente's 11 markers as the Falcons beat the Archers despite a 19-point performance from Chris Macasaet.