NEIGHBORS Ateneo and University of the Philippines (UP) go for a follow-up to their four-set victories over San Beda and San Sebastian, respectively, as they switch rivals at the resumption Friday of the V-League Men’s Collegiate Championship at the Paco Arena in Manila.
A heavy five-game bill marks the third playdate of the return of the league where it all started with powerhouse National University launching its campaign against College of St. Benilde following a remarkable triumph over Cignal HD in the recent Spikers’ Turf finals.
The Bulldogs, led by Spikers’ Turf MVP Nicol Almendreas and best setter Joshua Retamar, face the Blazers who are coming off a four-set loss to the Adamson University side in last Sunday’s inaugurals of the league organized by Sports Vision and backed by Asics, Beyond Active Wear and Mikasa.
Game time is at 10 a.m. in a Pool A match after the 8 a.m. opener between the Eagles and the Stags in Pool B action.
Ateneo held off San Beda, 25-19, 17-25, 25-15, 25-23, while UP thwarted SSC, 25-23, 31-33, 25-14, 25-23, last Sunday.
The Maroons and the Red Lions collide at 1 p.m., also in Pool B, while University of Santo Tomas also kicks off its title drive against Arellano University, which lost to De La Salle in four, at 1 p.m. in Pool A.
Far Eastern University and University of Perpetual Help System DALTA also try to launch their respective campaigns on a winning note as they mix it up in the 5 p.m. main game in Pool B play.
Alternating with the men’s league is the women’s competitions with Ateneo, St. Benilde, Adamson University and UP all hurdling their initial assignments last Wednesday.