Ken Batas unloaded 14 attack points for a 17-point output as the young Ateneo-Fudgee Barr side wore down veteran Army-Katinko, 32-30, 25-15, 18-25, 25-15, in a duel of struggling teams to keep its flickering semifinal hopes alive with a 1-3 slate, Saturday at Paco Arena.
The Eagles pulled through in a spirited, long-drawn first set battle, dominated the next then rebounded from a third set stumble with another strong windup in the fourth to fashion out the much-needed victory.
The loss, their fourth straight, knocked the Troopers out of the semis race.
Batas also finished with two kill blocks and three excellent digs to clinch the game's top honors.
Amit Pacinio Jr. backed him up with 16 points while Matt Salarzon and Jetlee Gopio fired 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Eagles, who outhit the Troopers, 52-44, while cashing in on their rivals' poor reception to produce seven aces.
Army came away with eight kill blocks against Ateneo's two but just couldn't sustain its third set bounce-back.
Madzlan Gampong topscored for the Troopers with 14 points but JD Diwa's seven points in a two-set appearance proved to be next best score for the team.