Games today:

(UST Quadricentennial Pavilion)

9 a.m. — Adamson vs NU (m)

11 a.m. — Adamson vs NU (w)

3 p.m. — UE vs FEU (m)

5 p.m. — UE vs FEU (w)

It will be a showdown of rising stars when defending champion National University (NU) meets Adamson University for the solo lead in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament today.

Last season’s rookie of the year and Lady Falcons ace Shaina Nitura battles former high school teammate, the prized Lady Bulldogs freshman Sam Cantada, in the 11 a.m. tussle at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Quadricentennial Pavilion.   

Both known for their explosive offense and clutch plays, all eyes will be on the shootout between the two future faces of collegiate volleyball.

Nitura, a member of Alas Pilipinas, starred in Adamson’s 25-19, 25-18, 25-10, crushing of Ateneo de Manila University last Sunday to open its campaign.

Scoring 15 of her 16 points on kills in the opener, Nitura will again be the focal point of the Lady Falcons offense.

But last year’s scoring leader points out that beating the three-peat-seeking NU doesn’t rest solely on what she brings in. She knows getting past the Lady Bulldogs will take a collective effort.

“As you can see, we are a complete team. If ever Abby (Segui) is off, we have an opposite to fill in. If I’m off, Lana (Barrera) is there. We also have Red (Bascon), Joy (Aseo), one of our rookies, and Ate Barbie (Jamili),” Nitura said.

“We have a deep bench, so there’s no pressure on me or even with the team since we’re a young team, so our potential is limitless.”

The Lady Bulldogs, on the other hand, had their hands full putting down the fierce resistance of the UST Growling Tigresses.

Cantada, an 18-year-old transferee from Adamson high school, stepped up big time down the stretch to rescue NU in a thrilling, 25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 26-24, escape three days ago at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Alas Girls standout scored seven of the Lady Bulldogs’ closing 10-4 blitz in the fourth set to bag the victory.

Cantada, who scored 21 points and 14 receptions in her debut, will be a marked woman by the alma mater she left to join NU as the heir apparent of three-time Most Valuable Player Bella Belen.

Very much familiar with the Lady Bulldogs’ rival mentored by her former high school coach JP Yude, Cantada knows Adamson is going all-out to pull an upset.

But Cantada and NU won’s let that happen.

“I know that team very well. They won’t let us win that easily. But there’s no letting up on our side also. We’ll play our best,” she said.

Skipper Vange Alinsug, Arah Panique, Abegail Pono, Chams Maaya and libero Shaira Jardio are ready to back up Cantada.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and University of the East cross paths at 5 p.m. to rebound from their opening day setbacks.

The Lady Tamaraws suffered a 19-25, 14-25, 25-27, loss to last year’s runner-up De La Salle University while the Lady Warriors lost to University of the Philippines, 12-25, 9-25, 25-21, 19-25.

In men’s play, six — peat-seeking Bulldogs face the Falcons at 9 a.m. in a clash of opening day winners, while at 3 p.m., the Tamaraws seek a second straight win against the Red Warriors, who dropped their opener in five sets.