Back to pre-pandemic protocols for the UAAP volleyball season.
The UAAP will be in full volleyball mode starting February 25.
And when we mean full, we mean it's not just the return of women's volleyball just like in Season 84.
The men's competition, which was not held last year, will finally be making its comeback since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The UAAP is serving up everything that fans have gotten used to seeing before 2020—save for the optional face masks—shaking hands, high fives, and changing of courts.
Antigen tests, which were previously required for attendees during the bubble, will no longer be needed except if the local government unit or the venue deems it a requirement. One change though that fans and teams can look forward to in the second round is the challenge system, currently implemented in the PVL and the Spikers' Turf.
All eight squads also welcomed the return of pre-season tournaments. In the 2022 PNVF Champions League for Women, the University of the East was hailed as the runner-up. While in the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge, the Ateneo Blue Eagles beat the Adamson Lady Falcons in the finals. For the men's division, the NU Bulldogs took down the UST Tiger Spikers to win the title.
"We're happy na nagkaroon ng pre-season tournaments for the experience of the players and to acclimatize," Ateneo women's volleyball coach Oliver Almadro said during the UAAP press conference on Wednesday. The Blue Eagles will be looking to improve on their third place finish with Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler at the helm.
"We managed to see our weaknesses, our strengths. We see those other teams that are strong and are talented and are impressive," he added. "We hope these pre-season tournaments will help make us a better team this year."
When asked which squad they would consider to be the team to beat this year, all coaches refused to name just one and instead considered all to be worthy opponents.
UST's tactician Kungfu Reyes though considered one aspect he would like to beat, "Hopefully, mas less 'yung injury kasi mas mahaba yung preparation."
In the previous season, there were four matches in a single day, which led to a shorter preparation in between games. For Season 85, there will be two women's matches and two men's matches per day on the weekends.
There would still be four matches each for the women's competition and the men's competition on Wednesdays starting from 10 AM.
The men will play in a separate venue on Wednesdays. Tickets will be sold for a single game day, so fans can enjoy all the matches for that particular schedule.
"It will be a dogfight, itong Season 85," Reyes added. "Kasi halos nakapag-prepare ang lahat nang sabay-sabay. 'Yung quality ng player, 'yung skills, masho-showcase."
"Makikita nila kung ano meron tayo this time."
