Games today:

(Mall of Asia Arena)

9 a.m. — UE vs Adamson (m)

11 a.m. — NU vs FEU (m)

1 p.m. — UE vs Adamson (w)

3 p.m. — NU vs FEU (w)

Defending champion National University (NU) seeks to complete a three-game opening week sweep to stay unbeaten and on top of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 88 women’s volleyball tournament.

Standing in the way of the three-peat-seeking Lady Bulldogs is Far Eastern University (FEU) in an exciting rematch of last year’s Final Four today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Game time is at 3 p.m. following the curtain-raiser between Adamson University and winless University of the East (UE) at 1 p.m.

Rookie Sam Cantanda has been leading the way for NU after good performances in a four-set win over University of Santo Tomas last Sunday and a tight 25-23, 25-19, 28-26, sweep against her former teammates in the Lady Falcons side on Wednesday.

The winger has been averaging 18.5 points per game while getting consistent support from veterans Vange Alinsug, Arah Panique and Chams Maaya.

First-year NU head coach Regine Diego admits managing the tight schedule is a challenge.

“Of course, it’s a matter of good management. This is not just a challenge for me but, of course, it’s a challenge for all of the teams in the UAAP,” she said.

“So, we just prepare and our mindset is that we cannot do anything about this but manage our stress, manage our recovery because recovery is also equivalent to training,” Diego added.

On the other hand, the Lady Tamaraws rebounded from an opening-day loss to De La Salle University with a sweep of the Lady Warriors, 25-20, 25-14, 25-14, for a 1-1 mark tied with Adamson.

FEU will try to use the momentum of its win anchored on a 13-kill block output to stop Cantada and the Lady Bulldogs.

“Actually, NU is NU. With the addition of Sam Cantada, they remain solid. We have to prepare well against them because they’re intact, they have great connection and the key components of their first six are really key players,” Lady Tamaraws setter Tin Ubaldo said.

“So, we really prepared well against them,” added the playmaker, who tallied 18 excellent sets in the previous game.

Meanwhile, the Shaina Nitura-led Lady Falcons look to get back on the winning track against a UE side which has yet to win a game after two tries this season.

In men’s play, six-peat-seeking Bulldogs battle the Tamaraws in a rematch of last year’s finale.

NU and FEU stake their unbeaten 2-0 cards in the race for the solo lead scheduled at 11 a.m.

The Falcons (1-1) and the Red Warriors (0-2) open the day with their 9 a.m. encounter.