The new-age women’s volleyball rivalry will be the main event for opening weekend of UAAP Season 87 volleyball as the DLSU Lady Spikers challenge defending champion NU Lady Bulldogs.
Defending champions NU Lady Bulldogs will open their title defense against new-age rival DLSU Lady Spikers as they highlight opening weekend for the UAAP Season 87 volleyball tournament beginning Saturday, February 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Bulldogs, who will still be flanked by reigning MVP Bella Belen and Finals MVP Alyssa Solomon, battle a fit-again Angel Canino and the rest of the Lady Spikers in the marquee game on Sunday, February 16, closing a weekend’s worth of collegiate volleyball action.
[RELATED: Alyssa Solomon, NU Lady Bulldogs eager to integrate Sherwin Meneses’ system fast for UAAP title defense]
But before the big guns, Season 86 finalist UST Golden Tigresses engage in a litmus test against last year’s Final Four team FEU Lady Tamaraws in their opener, playing in the second game of Saturday’s double-header at 3:00 p.m.
[RELATED: After stellar UAAP rookie year, Angge Poyos takes UST’s rising expectations in stride]
The UP Fighting Maroons lock horns with the UE Lady Warriors in the curtain raiser for women’s volleyball at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a rejuvenated Ateneo Blue Eagles squad will battle the Adamson Lady Falcons in Sunday’s first women’s game.
The men’s tournament will prelude the women’s games on both days with the same matchups.
The NU Bulldogs are seeking a historic five-peat, but will be facing an early challenge against the DLSU Green Spikers at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday.
[RELATED: UAAP: Five-peat seeking NU Bulldogs wary of rising competition level in men’s volleyball]
On Saturday, a grudge match between the UST Golden Spikers and the FEU Tamaraws — after their 2-game Final Four series last season — is also slated for the second men’s game on Saturday morning.
For opening weekend, all matches in one game day will be under one ticket.
The set-up for the next game days will vary depending on the matchups.
Other matchups to look out for in the first round are DLSU vs. UST on Wednesday, February 26, and the Finals rematch between NU and UST to cap off the first half of the season on March 16.
The UAAP already released a full schedule for the first round.