The NU Lady Bulldogs celebrate against La Salle in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, February 16, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media

MANILA -- Defending champion National University seeks to follow up its impressive season-opening win over De La Salle as it tangles with Ateneo, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Against a Blue Eagles side decimated by injuries, new coach Sherwin Meneses wants his Lady Bulldogs to sustain their high level of play just like in last Sunday's 25-23, 25-21, 25-18 sweep of the Lady Spikers at 11 a.m.

"Siyempre, champion team na yung NU talagang sinasabihan lang namin talaga na one point at a time lang kasi yung champion, sinabi ko nga, past na yun so talagang dapat trabahuhin yung pag-defend ng crown," said Meneses, a seven-time champion coach from PVL club Creamline.

"Hindi basta-basta. So everytime na makaka-one point kami, dumadali yung pagdefend ng crown. So ganun lang muna ka-simple yung target namin. Any opponent, nasa lower, nasa higher rank, one point at a time lang kami," he added.

READ: National U makes a statement sweep of La Salle to start title-retention campaign

READ: Shaina Nitura debuts with 33 as Adamson completes reverse sweep vs. Ateneo

Ateneo opened its season with a heartbreaking 25-21, 25-20, 12-25, 15-25, 12-15 defeat to Adamson University, where the Katipunan-based side lost Zel Tsunashima to a leg injury late in the fifth set.

The Blue Eagles were also without injured hitters Sobe Buena and JLo Delos Santos, who could have helped the team's top options Lyann de Guzman and AC Miner.

The Lady Bulldogs remain potent as ever with the core of reigning MVP Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Vange Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, setter Lams Lamina, and libero Shaira Jardio.

In the men's division, five-peat-seeking NU plays fellow opening-day winner Ateneo at 9 a.m.

Newly installed Blue Eagles coach Vince Mangulabnan, a former champion setter from the Bulldogs, is looking forward to facing his former team.

"Excited ako makalaban yung alma mater ko plus sobrang excited ako makita yung lalaruin ng players ko against NU na alam ko naman na sobrang lakas. Sila yung inaabot ng teams ngayong UAAP ‘eh. Excited ako makita kung hanggang saan kami sa kanila, or hindi natin alam, bilog pa rin ang bola. Ako, 100 percent pa rin yung trust ko sa team ko na makuha namin game by game," said Mangulabnan.

The Blue Eagles, who opened the season with a 25-17, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23 conquest of the Falcons, are facing a tough battle with the Bulldogs, who swept the Green Spikers, 25-22, 25-22, 25-19.

Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines also vie for the early lead in the other men's match at 3 p.m.

The Lady Tamaraws and the Fighting Maroons also shoot for a 2-0 record in the women's side at 5 p.m. to wrap up the quadruple-header.

The FEU Lady Tamaraws in action against UST in the UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball tournament, February 15, 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media

FEU men's coach Eddieson Orcullo is not taking UP, which unveiled Nigeria's Oleyemi Raheem in last Saturday's 19-25, 25-23, 24-26, 25-16, 25-18 victory over University of the East, for granted.

"Kung mamaintain namin yung numbers mula sa preseason tournaments namin papunta dito sa UAAP, mas magiging maganda yung takbo namin dito and at the same time, yung motivation ng bata ay magiging maganda at mas maayos yung bawat isa," said Orcullo after his troops defeated long-time rival University of Santo Tomas, 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20.

READ: Lady Tams flex might over Tigresses to open Season 87

READ: UP outlasts UE in 5-setter to open Season 87 women’s volleyball

The Lady Tamaraws also opened the season on a high note, tripping last year's runner-up Tigresses, 25-19, 16-25, 25-14, 25-20.

The Fighting Maroons scrambled past the Lady Warriors, 25-18, 26-24, 24-26, 13-25, 15-13, on opening day.

UP coach Benson Bocboc hopes for a better effort against FEU, one of the top favorites for the crown.

"Kala niyo maririnig niyo siguro palagi ang first game ng season, napakaimportante. Yun lang naman maririnig niyo lagi dun. So buti napanalo ito, sana magtuloy-tuloy. Malaking bagay para sa amin to. Sabihin natin, bagong coach, kalahati bagong player, bagong experience, tingin ko lalaban to hanggang dulo. Makukuha natin yan," said Bocboc.

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