Repeat-seeking National University begins its title defense against the only team it has yet to beat in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women's volleyball tournament.

Despite bowing down to rampaging top seed De La Salle University in straight sets in both of their elimination round clashes, a defiant reigning Most Valuable Player Bella Belen believes the Lady Bulldogs won't suffer the same fate this time when the best-of-three championship series opener kicks off today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

"This is the finals so this is now a different story. Yes, they have beaten us in the first and second round but that's already in the past. This is the finals, so it's back to zero," Season 84 Rookie of the Year Belen said as NU braces for war starting at 4 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs, who won the crown last year to end a 65-year title drought at the expense of the Lady Spikers to complete a rare season sweep, advanced to their second straight finals appearance after downing third placer Adamson University, 22-25, 25-22, 25-12, 25-15, last Wednesday.

"The hungrier team will win. The team who wants to (rule) this season more will be the one to hold the title," Belen said as she hopes for solid support from Alyssa Solomon, Ces Robles, Erin Pangilinan, Sheena Toring, setter Lams Lamina and veteran libero Jen Nierva.

"Our mindset should be to stick to our goal and fight as a team."

NU has won seven straight games since losing to La Salle at the start of the second round.

"It's time for us to bounce back and show our school pride. We want to show to the UAAP community that we want to win this season and we won't let anyone steal the crown from us," Belen said in a strong voice.

The Lady Spikers, on the other hand, are beaming with confidence and are on a roll after five straight wins including a 26-24, 25-22, 20-25, 25-19, Final Four victory over the only squad that put a blemish on their record — University of Santo Tomas.

La Salle has made a reversal of fortune in its second straight and 20th overall finals appearance, going into the championship with a huge psychological advantage against the same team that had beaten the squad in straight sets in their four meetings last year.

This is the third time the two teams will face off for the crown as they also fought for the pre-season Shakey's Super League title last year won by the Lady Bulldogs in straight sets.

According to Lady Spikers assistant coach Noel Orcullo, discipline is key for his crew to reclaim the title it last held in 2018.

"We need to minimize our errors. We can't go into the game committing that many errors," Orcullo said as he lamented La Salle's 31 errors in its last match.

"The Finals is a different ball game. You need to have clean executions always and we can't give our opponents free points all the time."

Runaway RoY candidate and fancied MVP winner Angel Canino will be at the forefront of the Lady Spikers' march back into the throne.

Helping her out are veterans Jolina dela Cruz, Thea Gagate, Fifi Sharma, a healthier Alleiah Malaluan, heady playmaker Mars Alba, Shevana Laput and libero Justine Jazareno.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and No. 2 seed UST collide in a knockout match in the last stage of the men's stepladder semis at 2 p.m. for the right to challenge three-peat-seeking NU in the Finals.

The Tamaraws beat the Green Spikers, 25-21, 19-25, 25-22, 25-22, in the first phase last Wednesday.

The Bulldogs earned the first finals seat outright after sweeping the 14-game elims.