MANILA – Defending champion University of Santo Tomas (UST) and National University (NU) hope to capitalize on their twice-to-beat seminal incentives on Saturday in the UAAP Season 87 men's tennis tournament at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Center in Malate, Manila.

Led by Season 86 MVP Nilo Ledama, the top-seeded UST is determined to beat third-seed University of the East in their best-of-three duel.

The Growling Tigers hold a record 16 titles — the most in UAAP history.

"With the experience we've had over the past two years, we’ve somewhat learned how to handle the pressure, how to manage the lineups and the changes. So every time there's a crucial situation where we need to adjust the lineup, we're more confident and more familiar with what we need to do," said UST coach Alexander Diego.

UST beat UE, 4-1, and 3-2, in the elimination round.

UE, bannered by JB Aguilar and Marc Suson, made it to the semis for the fourth consecutive season and is eager to secure the title for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in Seasons 79 and 80.

Meanwhile, NU will bank on EJ Tugade and rookie Andrei Padao in a bid to reach the final and reclaim the championship it last won in Season 81.

"I think it’s really about coordination with each other, especially in our doubles. We need to communicate, boost our partner because doubles isn’t an easy game… the pair really needs to coordinate and push each other. We need to support one another, especially whenever we score points," said Tugade, the Bulldogs team captain.

UP, seeking to end its 24-year title drought, will rely on Loucas Fernandez and rookie Miguel Iglupas.

The Fighting Maroons defeated the Bulldogs, 3-2, in the first round while the Bulldogs won the second round, 4-1. (PNA)