ATENEO, playing its finest volleyball in the second round, is still very much in the hunt in the UAAP women’s volleyball Final Four.

Zel Tsunashima scored 16 points, including three blocks, while libero Roma Mae Doromal collected 13 receptions and eight digs as the revitalized Blue Eagles pulled off a 25-14, 25-20, 25-15 victory over University of the Philippines yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

After pushing league-leading University of Santo Tomas to five sets last Wednesday that earned a lot of raves, Ateneo maintained its high level of play to solidify its hold of fifth spot with a 3-6 record.

“I’m so happy. This two weeks was so hard we played four times but the most important, our play continued at the same level. All these matches, the players played very well,” sad Blue Eagles’ Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso.

Suddenly, Ateneo is now in the Final Four chat, as the Katipunan-based side only trails Far Eastern University (4-4) by one-and-a-half game in the race for the No. 4 spot.

Up next for the Blue Eagles is a showdown with the Lady Tamaraws in what could be the two team’s turning point of the season on April 4.

“I’m very happy sa performance ng team and hopefully sa susunod na games namin mas maging aggressive pa kami and i-embrace pa namin yung system ni coach Sergio, and hopefully makuha talaga namin yung Final Four,“ said Doromal, who is also serving as Ateneo team captain.

Defending champion La Salle on Saturday night cruised to its fifth straight win and the seventh overall in eight matches with a 25-19, 25-21, 25-18 dismantling of FEU.

Reigning MVP Angel Canino had a solid 15-point, 10-reception outing while setter Julia Coronel tossed in 16 excellent sets that went along with two blocks for the Lady Spikers.

Sobe Buena had two service aces for a 10-point outing that went along with seven digs, Lyann de Guzman added eight points, including two blocks, while AC Miner also scored eight points for the Blue Eagles.

Despite the return of ace middle blocker Niña Ytang, the Fighting Maroons, the league’s second-best blocking team, struggled in their strong point.

UP only had four blocks, compared to Ateneo’s seven.

Steph Bustrillo had eight points while Ytang and Irah Jaboneta had five points apiece for the Fighting Maroons, who were swept by the Blue Eagles in their elimination round head-to-head and fell to 1-8 overall.

In the men’s division, reigning MVP Josh Ybañez had a career-high 34 points as UST recovered from a first set meltdown to repeat over National University via reverse sweep, 28-30, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 15-9, while Ateneo lost ace libero Lance de Castro due to injury but was able to muster enough strength to escape with a 25-15, 18-25, 25-15, 20-25, 15-10 win over last-place UP.

After a three 30-point games this season that went down to drain, Ybañez finally emerged triumphant, firing 31-of-62 kills and scored two of the Golden Spikers’ seven blocks.

“Masaya po ako kasi habang naglalaro syempre hindi ko kita yung score ko so as long as kaya kong mag-contribute sa team sa kahit anong pamamaraan gagawin ko. Sobrang happy ako kasi I know it’s a collaborative effort hindi lang ako,” said Ybañez, who also logged 25 receptions.

Leinuel Crisostomo stepped up with 19 receptions and 11 digs as main libero De Castro, who leads the league in digging and receiving, left the match during the first set after sitting on his own leg while attempting to receive a ball from the Fighting Maroons.

“Yung team naman handa lagi mag-fulfill sa kakulangan namin. Naniniwala ako sa kanila (teammates on the bench) kasi every day nagtitraining kami, every day pare-pareho yung ginagawa namin,” said Ken Batas, who led the Blue Eagles with 30 points and nine digs.

UST continued to remain level with Ateneo in fourth place at 5-4 heading into the Lenten break.

The Golden Spikers completed a head-to-head elimination round sweep of the Bulldogs, who dropped to second place with a 7-2 slate.

FEU became the solo leader at 7-1.

Jian Salarzon backed up Batas with 20 points, including four blocks, while Amil Pacinio also displayed his versatility with 16 points and 27 receptions for the Blue Eagles.