ATENEO de Manila men’s and women’s teams begin their respective title-defense bids at the start of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 volleyball tournament on Sunday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan City.
The Lady Eagles take on National University (NU) at 4 p.m. after the 2 p.m. match between University of the East and University of the Philippines (UP).
The Blue Eagles collide with University of Santo Tomas (UST) at 10 a.m., after the first game of the season between Far Eastern University and Fighting Maroons at 8 a.m.
The Ateneo women’s squad starts its quest for three-peat with reigning UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alyssa Valdez playing in her final season in the league.
Valdez and the rest of the Tai Bundit-coached team, bannered by setter Jia Morado, Amy Ahomiro and Jhoana Maranguinot, will show what they got from their training camp in Thailand.
Valdez will tangle with his former mentor NU Head Coach Roger Gorayeb who is banking heavily on his promising roster led by 6-foot-5 Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, setter Ivy Perez and libero Bia General.
The Lady Bulldogs settled for bronze last season.Meanwhile, this season’s host UP is out to improve their last season’s sixth-place finish, facing the Lady Warriors who try to get a win in the opener after a winless campaign last year.
In the men’s action, the Blue Eagles try to open their title bid on a high note facing last season’s third placer Growling Tigers.
Head Coach Oliver Almadro is bringing back his intact roster led by the trio of reigning MVP Marck Espejo, Finals MVP setter Esmilzo Polvoroza and Rex Intal.
UST mentor Odjie Mamon, on the other hand, seeks a good start from his revamped team after losing Mark Gil Alfafara and Romnick Rico due to graduation.