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MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University's bid for a third consecutive UAAP women's volleyball title will start on February 3, when they take on University of Santo Tomas (UST) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Lady Archers won a second straight title in UAAP Season 79 after sweeping rival Ateneo de Manila University in the finals, the sixth straight year that the two popular schools contested the women's volleyball championship.
While they remain one of the favorites in UAAP Season 80, they will have to defend their crown without unquestioned leader Kim Fajardo, last year's Best Setter and Best Server who has now exhausted her playing years.
Instead, La Salle will be led by reigning MVP Majoy Baron, star libero Dawn Macandili, and a pair of Finals MVPs in Kianna Dy and Desiree Cheng.
The Tigresses, meanwhile, will rely on explosive open spiker Sisi Rondina as they are reportedly set to play without EJ Laure for the entire season. The Season 77 Rookie of the Year is taking time off to recover from a shoulder injury.
Also seeing action on opening day are the National University Lady Bulldogs, who will face off with a retooled Adamson University team in the first game of the women's volleyball tournament.
The contest marks the seniors coaching debut of Babes Castillo, who took over for Roger Gorayeb as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs. NU is trying to return to the Final 4 in Jaja Santiago's final playing year for the school.
The Lady Falcons, meanwhile, are expected to jump back into contention after spending the past couple of seasons in the league cellar. Adamson will bank on transferee Eli Soyud and returning veterans Mylene Paat and Fem Emnas while star spiker Jema Galanza recovers from a gruesome ankle injury that she suffered in the preseason.
The following day, University of the Philippines will face off against University of the East, while Season 79 runner-up Ateneo takes on Far Eastern University (FEU).
The finals rematch between Ateneo and La Salle takes place on March 3 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Meanwhile, defending men's volleyball champion Ateneo opens its four-peat campaign on February 4 against the FEU Tamaraws, also at the Mall of Asia Arena.
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