National University’s (NU) approach in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 is not of a team missing key figures and navigating a new system, but of a squad seeking a historic women’s volleyball three-peat.

New head coach Regine Diego acknowledged the heavy pressure the Lady Bulldogs carry in defending their title in their first year post-Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon era.

But it is a challenge NU is committed to taking head on in the league’s centerpiece second-semester event unfolding on Valentine’s Day Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

For Diego, who replaced Sherwin Meneses at the reins last September, rebuilding is just the state of the team with the new breed of Lady Bulldogs, but the championship pedigree and winning culture remain.

“Rebuilding should not be on our minds. We should just play as champions,” the lady coach articulately stated during the volleyball event press conference held on Wednesday.

NU will still carry the same huge target on its back when it begins its title-retention bid on Sunday against University of Santo Tomas (UST) at the same Pasay venue.

Holdovers team captain Vange Alinsug, setter Lams Lamina and Chams Maaya will carry on the leadership roles as seniors while prized recruit and last year’s high school Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sam Cantada will be put under the microscope to see if she’s as good as advertised playing with the big girls.

“Well, of course, there will always be pressure here in the UAAP, it’s the NU team,” Diego added.

“Everything has challenges and everything is pressure for me. But of course, I just want to see them play their best, I just want them to play their best. I want them to be healthy. As much as we can, we want to defend the title.”

But protecting the throne is easier said than done.

The threat of last year’s runner-up De La Salle University is ever-present with Alas Pilipinas standouts former Most Valuable Player Angel Canino and Amie Provido leading the way along with 6-foot-2 captain Shevana Laput.

The Golden Tigresses parading veterans Regina Jurado, Angge Poyos, libero Detdet Pepito and setter Cassie Carballo are not to be overlooked, following the scare they gave to the Lady Bulldogs when they dragged the Shakey’s Super League Preseason Unity Cup final into five sets before eventually surrendering.

Far Eastern University (FEU) and Alas winger Shaina Nitura-led Adamson University are also championship contenders following their good pre-season runs.

University of the Philippines (UP), under new Italian tactician Fabio Menta, poses a dark horse while Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East (UE) are both motivated to improve on their forgettable campaigns last year.

In men’s play, the Bulldogs remained as the consensus title favorites as they aim for a six-peat behind national team stars Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Peng Taguibolos and Jade Disquitado.

The quartet helped Alas men’s team bag the bronze in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last year.

However, Season 87 runner-up FEU, UST, La Salle and Ateneo led by reigning MVP Kennedy Batas are determined to end NU’s dynastic rule. Adamson, UP and UE have also beefed up their rosters during the offseason to challenge the balance of power.

Meanwhile, the UAAP is introducing a new approach to recognize fair play, aiming to promote honesty and sportsmanship this season.

Under this rule, a player who voluntarily acknowledges a block touch or a net touch will be awarded a green card. This measure is intended to fast-track the adjudication process and reduce the need for unnecessary video challenges.