MANILA -- University of Santo Tomas will try to stretch its winning streak to four matches when it takes on the University of the Philippines in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Golden Tigresses have strung together three straight wins after opening their campaign with a loss to Far Eastern University.

But they are wary of the Fighting Maroons, who are seeking to snap a two-game slide and return to the win column.

First serve is scheduled at 4:00 p.m.

The UST Golden Tigresses in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. UAAP Media

"Ang mahirap kasi na part sa UP iba iba yung tao nila eh 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 UST deputy coach Yani Fernandez.

READ: UST survives gritty Adamson U for third straight win

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.

"In 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, Far Eastern University and Adamson University from third to sixth spots at 2-2, just above Ateneo's 1-3 record.

Meanwhile, the Lady Tamaraws are hoping to avoid complications against the winless University of the East in their 2:00 p.m. match.

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.

READ: Lady Tams outwork Blue Eagles in five-setter to end losing skid

READ: Avoiding complacency will help FEU return to form, says Gerz Petallo

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 nagttraining kami, ayaw ko na pagusapan yung loss. So, kasi nagkakaron lang ng magnet eh. Ayaw ko nang nagkakaron ng magnet na namimirror natin yung past, kasi puwede ko na baguhin today. So ganoon kami sa training," said Salak.

The FEU Lady Tamaraws in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament. UAAP Media

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 dun sa past namin na mistakes but, yung mga past mistakes na yun, tinatrabaho namin sa training. Doon kami nagsosolusyon. 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 syempre pagttrabahuin at paghihirapan namin 'yon dahil hindi naman nila ibibigay 'yon. 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.

"Nagkakaroon na ng maturity yung mga bata pagdating sa mga pressured game at end game. Medyo mas naging consistent na yung moves nila ngayon tsaka yung presence of mind. Tsaka yung skills namin, hindi na nagllapse. Paunti-unti na yung consistency," said Mape.

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