La Salle's Angel Canino and UST's Angge Poyos in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. UAAP Media

MANILA -- De La Salle University and University of Santo Tomas renew their long-standing rivalry as the two teams vie for a piece of second place Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Tigresses may have been struggling without Jonna Perdido and Xyza Gula, who played huge roles in last season's runner-up finish, but the Lady Spikers are not taking their foes for granted.

The winner of the 5 p.m. match will join the idle University of the Philippines for the No. 2 spot at 2-1.

Defending champion National University became the only undefeated team after the first full week of action with a 3-0 card.

READ: Canino, Malaluan shine as La Salle vents ire on Adamson to earn 1st win

READ: Angge Poyos, Reg Jurado take charge as UST overcomes UE for 1st win

"Yung pagkakawala nung dalawang key players nila last year, malaking factor 'yun pero sabi ko nga malalim ang bench ng UST eh. So marami silang pwedeng paikutin. Hopefully, mapaghandaan namin and then at the same time makalaro kami nang maganda kapag nagharap kami," coach Ramil de Jesus said after De La Salle pulled off a 25-21, 26-24, 25-20 romp of Adamson University Saturday.

The Tigresses have split their first two matches and it has been challenging so far.

After dropping its season opener to Far Eastern University, UST scrambled past University of the East, 28-26, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15.

"A win is a win naman. Nakita namin yung mga lapses pa rin, we will work on it at matanggal yung lapses na 'yon… Maraming lapses na kailangan i-polish para sa Wednesday game [against La Salle], makaporma kami sa kanila," UST assistant coach Yani Fernandez said.

The Lady Falcons seek to bounce back from their loss to the Lady Spikers and also gain a share of the second spot as they tangle with the Lady Warriors at 11 a.m.

The Adamson-UE showdown will be an explosive duel between Shai Nitura and Khy Cepada.

Nitura, the Lady Falcons' prized rookie, led the league in scoring after the first week, while Cepada, who reclaimed her status as the Lady Warriors top offensive option, is currently No. 3 behind Alyssa Solomon, the Lady Bulldogs opposite hitter who is in second.

In the men's division, UST and La Salle hope to join joint second placers NU and Ateneo at 2-1 in the 9 a.m. match.

The Golden Spikers and the Green Spikers rebounded from their season-opening losses against the Red Warriors and the Falcons last Saturday.

As UST awaits the return of injured reigning MVP Josh Ybañez, coach Odjie Mamon wanted to see a better effort against De La Salle, which had an impressive off-season.

"Kailangan namin ng magandang showing on Wednesday. We both have played two games already so meron na opportunity to scout each other sa matches na 'yon. Paghahandaan namin ito para maganda mapakita namin," Mamon said.

Coach Jose Roque knows that the Green Spikers have something more to show as they brace for a tough showdown with the Golden Spikers, who also boast a deep roster.

"Kung ano yung kulang namin at hindi namin nagawa nung first game, 'yon yung trinabaho namin 'eh. I think even the teams noticed that. Somehow nagagree lang kami na kailangan namin bumawi at galingan pa sa next games ," Roque said.

UE and Adamson hope to break into the win column in the other men's match at 11 a.m.

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