FOR a second straight season, Ateneo will miss the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four.

All what the Blue Eagles wanted right now is to finish strong and build something for next year’s campaign.

Ateneo de bounced back with a vengeance against opening day tormentor University of the East, 25-17, 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, to snap its two-game skid in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.

Lyann De Guzman showed the way for the Blue Eagles with 25 points on 21 attacks, including three blocks, that went along with 10 digs and seven receptions.

“There’s no more chance to be in the top four but we need to fight for the best position,” said first-year Ateneo coach Sergio Veloso.

The fifth-running Blue Eagles improved to 4-8, matching their win total last season with two matches left in its schedule.

Ateneo was eliminated in the Final Four chase after Far Eastern University, which has a 7-4 record in fourth spot, hacked out a 19-25, 25-19, 21-25, 25-20,15-10 victory over league-leading University of Santo Tomas Saturday night.

Rookie Casiey Dongallo, who starred in the Lady Warriors’ four-set season-opening conquest of the Blue Eagles that ended a 14-match losing skid, unloaded 27 points, including four blocks, 14 receptions and eight dig ms.

Zel Tsunashima provided the much-needed boost for the Blue Eagles with 18 points, including three blocks, while Sobe Buena and AC Miner also produced 13 and 12 points, respectively.

“Inaccept namin (na wala ng pag-asa sa Final Four) and sinabi ko sa kanila icherish na lang namin yung moment na magkakasama kami and give yung best namin for the Ateneo community,” said libero Roma Mae Doromal, who dazzled with 23 receptions and 23 digs.

Leading a rebuilding roster as key players, including Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos, who opted to turn pro, Doromal is determined to help the Blue Eagles secure their best possible finish this season.

UE dropped its third straight match to fall to 2-9 overall in seventh place. Khy Cepada had nine kills, while Riza Nogales scored two of her seven points from blocks for the Lady Warriors.

In the men’s division, La Salle pulled off a shocking 25-19, 25-18, 31-33, 27-25 win over reigning titlist NU to move closer in securing a second straight Final Four stint.

Ateneo bolstered its drive for one of two remaining Final Four slots with a 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 25-20 win over UE.

The Green Spikers, who have won three in a row, are now assured of at least a playoff for a Final Four berth at 8-3, still at third but are just half a game away from the Bulldogs, who dropped to 9-3 at second.

The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, now hold a 6-6 record in fifth place. Ateneo is just one game behind fourth-running University of Santo Tomas at 7-5 with both teams have two matches left in their schedules.

It came to grit and heart down the stretch as Nico Almendras tried to lift NU at 25-25 in the fourth but Noel Kampton went through the block before Nathaniel Del Pilar’s smart move to send back a floating ball for La Salle’s win.

“Gusto na namin talaga. Sabi ko nga sa kanila para hindi tayo mag-doubt, ilabas niyo lahat yung gusto niyong ilaro,” said Green Spikers coach Jose Roque.

Vince Maglinao had 22 points, including two blocks, JM Ronquillo added 19 points, including three blocks, while Noel Kampton hammered 18 kills for La Salle.

Ken Batas logged 25 points, including two blocks, and eight digs for the Blue Eagles, who are taking step-by-step to capture the No. 4 spot.

“Like what I explained to them, whatever happened yesterday and whatever is happening now in the men’s league sabi nga may windows na nagoopen ng opportunity for us to get into that Final Four so I reminded the players na binibigay sa atin yung chance so we need to work hard for it,” said Ateneo coach Timmy Sto. Tomas. “Hindi puwedeng maghihintay lang tayo and it will be served to us on a silver platter.”