MANILA, Philippines — The De La Salle University Lady Spikers and Ateneo de Manila University Blue Spikers are out to defend their UAAP crown when Season 79 kicks off Saturday.
The DLSU Lady Spikers will be without their key players as Ara Galang, Mika Reyes and Cyd Demecillo have used their playing years.
The Lady Spikers also lost the services of one of its potent attacker as Eli Soyud transferred to another school.
Last year's finals MVP Kim Dy said they do not let pressure cloud their vision of the season.
“Defending the crown serves as a challenge for us. Will give all in our performance so we can in the game.”
Their archrivals, the Lady Eagles, will also be without Alyssa Valdez, Amy Ahomiro and Mae Tajima.
The Lady Eagles used the off-season to train overseas with training camps in Thailand and Japan.
The rivalry will continue when the two teams square off on March 4.
Meanwhile, the Ateneo Blue Spikers will gun for a three-peat and will be challenged by their close rival, the National University Bulldogs.
The two teams met in the championship for three consecutive seasons already with NU winning only the first meet-up.
Season 79 hostilities will begin for the men's division with NU going up against the University of the East Red Warriors, while Ateneo opens its three-peat campaign against the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Spikers.
For the women's tournament, the NU Lady Bulldogs battle with the UE Lady Warriors while Ateneo begins their post-Alyssa Valdez era against the UST Tigresses.
All opening day games will be played at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.