Games today:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)

9 a.m. — Ateneo vs UE (m)

11 a.m. — FEU vs La Salle (m)

1 p.m. — Ateneo vs UE (w)

3 p.m. — FEU vs La Salle (w)

Aiming for a better ranking at the end of first round, De La Salle University and Far Eastern University dispute solo third spot in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Both sporting 4-2 records, the Lady Spikers and the Tamaraws are going all out in the 3 p.m. match as the winner will keep within reach of the pacesetters.

Meanwhile, Ateneo and University of the East, mired at the bottom of the standings with 1-5 and 0-6 records, try to close out their challenging first round campaigns on a high note at 1 p.m., a day before reigning champion National University and University of Santo Tomas clash in a rematch of last year’s finals showdown at the Big Dome.

After losing two of their first three matches to open the season, La Salle and FEU were able to remain in the upper half of the standings.

The Lady Spikers were able to pick up three straight victories with the league’s third-leading scorer Angel Canino and Shevana Laput leading the charge.

Despite the short turnaround after last Wednesday’s 25-15, 25-14, 20-25, 25-19 conquest of Ateneo, La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus is looking forward for an ideal preparation for their first-round finale.

Well-rested after playing a stretch of three matches in one week, the Lady Tamaraws were perfect during that span that tested their character behind Gerzel Petallo and Congo’s Faida Bakanke.

“We reviewed and studied all the teams to see what advantages we can take against them, and we’ll give FEU a good fight,” De Jesus said.

The Lady Tamaraws hope to capitalize on their week-long break to handle the Lady Spikers.

“Maybe that’s the mindset now — since we’re real contenders, we need to prove it. It’s not enough to just say it; we really have to work hard to show that we’re a true contender,” FEU assistant coach Manolo Refugia said.

“That’s why it’s good that our preparation time for the next game against La Salle is long. We have plenty of time to recover, study what they do, and identify possible advantages or disadvantages.”

It was a tough first round for the Blue Eagles, who lost JLo delos Santos, Zel Tsunashima and Sobe Buena to injuries, as they dropped three games in a row, including last Wednesday’s rivalry match against the Lady Spikers.

Ateneo’s Brazilian coach Sergio Veloso is not giving up on the season.

“We can improvise our players,” he said.

“For now, we only have two days to prepare because without now I have only my have 12 original outside players and one of them it’s Alex Montoro, her first season and I need to adjust (Zey) Pacia and I’m so proud because Zey Pacia played very good with this pressure.”