Action between UE and FEU in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 5, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena.  UAAP Media

MANILA -- Far Eastern University is looking to climb to solo second place in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament when it plays University of the East on Wednesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

The Lady Tamaraws have won four of their last five assignments, including an impressive four-set triumph over traditional rivals University of Santo Tomas to open the second round last Sunday.

READ: Petallo, Bakanke take charge as FEU scores hard-earned win vs. UST

Yet head coach Tina Salak wants her squad to take nothing for granted as they gear up for a UE side that has lost all eight of its assignments so far in the tournament.

"Alam mo, nakakainspire ang UE even though 11-woman roster lang sila. Nakakainspire sila, I want to play with them na gusto ko nandoon din ako sa position kasi iba yung pride," said Salak. 

"For us, dito sa level namin, kumpleto kami with no excuse na para anuhin pa yung result ng game. There's no excuse na matalo or manalo, but kailangan namin i-execute kung ano yung game plan," she said.

The Lady Tamaraws cruised to a 25-23, 25-19, 25-20 triumph when they met in the first round last March 5. 

They are currently locked in a three-way tie with UST and La Salle, with all three teams toting 5-3 win-loss records. Rather than dwell on the standings, however, Salak stressed that they must first take care of business against UE.

"Big respect to UE, despite winless, grabe yung pinakita nila every game. Nakakainspire silang kalaban. Sa game plan namin, it's more of continuing kung ano yung gusto namin marating this second round. Second round muna, huwag muna tayo pumasok ng Final Four. Isa-isa lang," she said.

First serve is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, defending champion National University seeks to extend its perfect run to nine matches against University of the Philippines at 11 a.m.

READ: National U takes care of business against La Salle for 8th straight win

Sporting a 3-5 record, the Fighting Maroons are two games out of the No. 4 spot. UP is currently tied with Adamson University and Ateneo from fifth to seventh place.

Keeping an unbeaten record is a tough task, but coach Sherwin Meneses, a seven-time PVL champion, is working hard to polish his tried and tested system with the Lady Bulldogs.

Action between UP and NU in the first round of the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, March 9, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena.  UAAP Media

"Siyempre, mahirap pero yan yung trabaho natin eh. Kung paano mo ihahandle na lang din yung situation din, hindi lang sa volleyball, sa iba pang bagay. Actually, yung paghandle naman sa Creamline talagang nandiyan na yan eh. Senior team na sila so-- yung NU naman, senior din yan so madaling nang hawakan," said Meneses.

"Composure lang, sabi ko nga sa kanila, yung composure kada situation dapat lagi kang nandoon. Sana, huwag naman magkasunod sa susunod. Thankful siyempre nakaka-panalo kami. Laging nanjan yung mga players talagang binibigay nila yung 100% nila kasi sila naman talaga yung naglalaro," he added.

The Fighting Maroons suffered a major blow to keep within the Final Four range after a tough 25-15, 23-25, 25-27, 32-30, 14-16 loss to the Blue Eagles last Saturday.

UP could have been one game behind the fourth spot with a victory, but instead, coach Benson Bocboc's side will start to play catch-up from now on to remain in contention.

READ: Ateneo eclipses UP in 5-set marathon for third win

Men's leader FEU, meanwhile, shoots for a ninth straight victory against UE at 3 p.m.

Coach Eddieson Orcullo and his Tamaraws know that the Red Warriors will continue to march on despite their eight-game losing spell.

"Sa UAAP kasi hindi mo pwede sabihin yan na zero wins yung kabila. Alam mo 'yon, medyo ang kailangan talaga ay dapat hindi kami tumigil sa gusto namin mangyari kasi hindi pa natatapos yung season. Hangga't hindi pa natatapos yung season, walang magpapahinga sa pagtatrabaho," said Orcullo.

Five-peat-seeking NU tries to get back on the winning track as it tangles with UP at 9 a.m.

The Bulldogs sit in solo second at 6-2. NU was coming off a shock 22-25, 27-25, 21-25, 17-25 loss to De La Salle last Sunday.

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