UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas seeks to solidify its hold on second place as it tangles with University of the Philippines, while Far Eastern University takes on University of the East as it shoots for its first winning streak in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena today (Wednesday).
The Tigresses are facing a trap game against the Fighting Maroons, who have lost two in a row after opening the season with two straight wins, at 4 p.m.
Playing in the second of a week-long three-match stretch, the Lady Tamaraws do not want to overthink as they are focusing on the winless Lady Warriors first at 2 p.m.
Yani Fernandez, coach Kungfu Reyes’ trusted assistant, is aware that UP elevates its game when it always faces UST. The Fighting Maroons, though, have lost their last five meetings with the Tigresses since the second round of the 2022 bubble tournament.
“Ang mahirap kasi na part sa UP iba iba ‘yung tao nila, kaya ‘yung scoutring din namin siyempre talagang hulaan, talagang aaralin mo lahat ng rotation kada set kung sino sa tingin namin ‘yung first outside hitter o kung sinong gagamiting middle so ‘yun. Titiyagain na lang din namin especially pagdating sa scouting report ng stats namin,” said Fernandez.
With a 3-1 record, second-running UST tries to keep within striking distance of defending champion National University, which is undefeated in four matches.
A loss to the Tigresses would be deflating for the Fighting Maroons, who have shown a lot of promise under new coach Benson Bocboc, who emphasized the need of his 14 players to be ready anytime.
“On behalf of my teammates, ako na mismo ang nagsasabi na I’m so thankful sa trust na ibinibigay sa amin ni coach, hindi lang sa anim na nagsa-start, kundi para sa lahat,” said captain Irah Jaboneta.
UP is locked in a four-way tie with De La Salle, FEU and Adamson University from third to sixth spots at 2-2, just above Ateneo’s 1-3 record.
The Lady Tamaraws’ campaign has been on a roller coaster, having lost to the Fighting Maroons, squandering a 2-1 set lead before bowing to the Lady Bulldogs in five, and surviving a gritty Blue Eagles side also in five sets.
FEU coach Tina Salak is taking things step by step to accomplish the team goals.
“At the end of the day, kailangan namin magtrabaho ulit. Move forward tayo, goal-setting. ‘Di mawawala ‘yung goal palagi, and tuwing nagte-training kami, ayaw ko na pag-usapan ‘yung loss. So, kasi nagkakaron lang ng magnet. Ayaw ko nang nagkakaron ng magnet na nami-mirror natin ‘yung past, kasi puwede ko na baguhin today. So ganoon kami sa training,” said Salak.
The Lady Tamaraws have a simple routine, to move forward following a tough match, get the needed recovery and training for the next opponent.
“Kasi tinuturuan ko rin sila mag-let go. Pero kailangan din namin na matuto du’n sa past namin na mistakes but, ‘yung mga past mistakes na ‘yun, tinatrabaho namin sa training. Doon kami nagso-solusyon. Doon kami gumagawa ng solusyon, sa ensayo,” she added.
Down with a 0-4 record, the 11-strong UE will just keep on trying to secure the elusive win as the burden of a shorthanded roster has started to set in.
In the men’s division, pacesetting FEU seeks to extend its perfect run to five matches as it goes up against UE at 10 a.m., while UST aims to secure solo second in the 12 noon contest with UP.
Ranged against the last-placed Red Warriors, the Tamaraws hope to sustain their impressive play as they move on from a challenging week.
“We have to prepare. Hindi namin sila pwede balewalain kasi lumalaban din naman sila. Ang mindset lang doon is we have to respect ‘yung kalaban mo regardless of our standing. Tuloy-tuloy na kasi dapat ‘yung ensayo namin. With the game on Wednesday, hopefully we can still win and siyempre pagttrabahuin at paghihirapan namin ‘yun dahil hindi naman nila ibibigay ‘yun. We will still prepare for everything,” said FEU assistant coach Rene Dulay.
As the Golden Spikers, tied with five-peat seeking Bulldogs at 3-1, patiently await the return of reigning MVP Josh Ybañez from injury, assistant mentor Ben Mape is looking forward for the team to sustain its high level of play.
Games Wednesday
(SM Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. – UE vs FEU (Men)
12 noon – UST vs UP (Men)
2 p.m. – UE vs FEU (Women)
4 p.m. – UST vs UP (Women)