MOUTHWATERING MATCHUP

Games today:
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. — Adamson vs UE (men's)
12 p.m. — Adamson vs UE (women's)
2 p.m. — NU vs Ateneo (women's)
4 p.m. — NU vs Ateneo (men's)

National University faces an early litmus test in its title-retention bid against a formidable Ateneo de Manila University side as hostilities in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's volleyball tournament begin today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Unbeaten during their championship run last year that ended a 65-year wait for the crown, the Lady Bulldogs will be walking with a huge target on their backs.

The Blue Eagles, who finished third last year after ceding the throne they won in 2019, will be the first team to get a crack at the pre-season favorites in their scheduled 2 p.m. encounter.

Meanwhile, another top contender Adamson University under new coach Jerry Yee crosses paths with University of the East at noon in the other women's pairing.

But all eyes will be on the NU-Ateneo showdown.

Returning first-ever league Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Bella Belen knows that playing the Blue Eagles in their season debut won't be an easy task.

"We don't know how Ateneo will play and what new tricks they have under their sleeves. It will be a battle of adjustments," Belen said. "Coach (Karl Dimaculangan) told us to just do our best, don't let outside noises distract us and never doubt ourselves."

The Lady Bulldogs are fielding an almost intact championship core with just middle blocker Ivy Lacsina, who decided to turn pro after last season, missing in their starting rotation.

Aside from Belen, Dimaculangan will also pin his hopes on graduating players libero Jen Nierva, Season 84 Finals MVP Ces Robles and setter Joyme Cagande along with holdovers Sheen Toring, Alyssa Solomon and top playmaker Cams Lamina.

The Blue Eagles, on the other hand, are banking on veterans Faith Nisperos and Vannie Gandler together with middles Joan Narit, Alexis Miner and Lyan de Guzman.

"Of course, having NU as our first match will be a test for us. But I am confident with my players," Ateneo head coach Oliver Almadro said. "It's really one step at a time and trying to be better every day."
Interestingly, the match pits the two teams which ruled the two pre-season tournaments for college squads.

The Lady Bulldogs swept the Shakey's Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship at the expense of UAAP Season 84 runner-up De La Salle University. The Blue Eagles, meanwhile, beat the Lady Falcons in the Finals of the V-League Collegiate Challenge.

In men's play, Adamson and UE will meet at 10 a.m. in the season's curtain-raiser while NU opens its three-peat mission in a clash with Ateneo at the 6 p.m. night cap.