Patricia Taganas took over the lead role for the Lady Eagles with 15 points she spiked with 11 hits while Thai import Em-orn Phanusit and Ma. Rosario Soriano each had 11 points as Ateneo posted its third straight win in the single round robin phase.

That moved the Loyola-based squad, which also swept Lyceum and St. Benilde, to within two wins from sweeping the round and a victory from ensuring their stint in the semis of the league sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza.

It was the second straight setback by the Bacolod spikers, who dropped a five-setter to the FEU Tams last Tuesday. USLS now needs to sweep its last three games to stay in the hunt for the last semis seat.

Unrelenting in offense, Ateneo also proved unforgiving in defense, holding USLS’ top scorer Kay Aplasca to just nine points and Sheryl Denila, Jade Aplasca, Je-An Ledesma and Sheryl Silva to a combined 20 points.

Earlier, Lyceum sustained its surge after an opening day setback, repulsing Far Eastern U, 27-25, 25-21, 26-24, to move to No. 2 heading into the final week of the single round phase of the tournament organized by Sports Vision and backed by Active White skin whitening products, Mail and More, ICT Call Center, 100Plus Energy Drink, Mikasa and Accel.

The Lady Pirates came through with timely hits and key blocks to turn back the reigning UAAP champions and post their second straight victory after dropping a straight-set loss to Ateneo at the start of the quarterfinal phase last May 4.

Dahlia Cruz, the No. 3 scorer for Lyceum after the double-round elims, stepped up big with 11 kills for a 16-point performance she highlighted with four blocks while Jane Jarin added 12 points, including 10 spikes.

Beverly Boto, who normed 16 points for Lyceum in the elims, was held to 11 points but she made up for this with four blocks to help anchor the 1:17 victory for the Pirates, who also nipped the Tams in a pair of five-setters in the elims.

"FEU is good in defense and net coverage so we neutralize them by coming up with solid attacks," said Lyceum coach Emil Lontoc.

FEU, which edged the Univ. of St. La Salle-Bacolod spikers in five sets last Tuesday, dropped to 1-1.