Ateneo, NU open UAAP volley wars

MANILA, Philippines - The UAAP women’s volleyball finally unwraps on Sunday with three-peat seeking Ateneo and National U clashing in an early clash of the fancied teams before an expected jampacked crowd at the Filoil Flying V Arena.

Two-time MVP Alyssa Valdez hopes to cap her colorful stint for Ateneo as a winner as the San Juan, Batangas native heads the Lady Eagles’ drive for a third straight championship with support from holdovers Amy Ahomiro, Jho Maraguinot, Bea de Leon and setter Jia Morado.

Looking to end an almost six decades of title drought, National U will bank on 6-foot-4 Jaja Santiago, Myla Pablo, Jorelle Singh, Ivy Perez and vastly improved libero Bia General as they slug it out with the reigning champions starting at 4 p.m.

But the Lady Eagles are in for a tough time as the Lady Bulldogs are tipped to figure well in their first full season under coach Roger Gorayeb.

Meanwhile, season host University of the Philippines, a team with high hopes with a mix of veterans and promising rookies, opens its campaign against University of the East at 2 p.m.

Both matches will be aired live on ABS-CBN Sports+Action Channel 23.

The Lady Maroons are seeking a Final Four slot behind comebacking Kathy Bersola and Nicole Tiamzon, as well as rookie Isa Molde, Justine Dorog and Diana Carlos.

Ateneo likewise kicks off its back-to-back title bid in the men’s division as it clashes with University of Santo Tomas at 10 a.m., right after the Far Eastern University-UP tussle at 8 a.m.

Action shifts to Philsports Arena on Feb. 3 with De La Salle taking on FEU at 4 p.m.

The Tigresses, with new skipper EJ Laure leading the way, clash with the Adamson U Lady Falcons at 2 p.m.

The highly anticipated Ateneo-La Salle, on the other hand, will be held Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The Lady Falcons and the Lady Warriors collide at 11 a.m., as tickets for the day’s doubleheader will be sold separately.