MANILA, Philippines – Ateneo de Manila University welcomed back a pair of familiar faces, ahead of its title defense in the UAAP Season 82 women's volleyball tournament.

Sources within the team confirmed to ABS-CBN News that open hitter Jho Maraguinot and setter Jamie Lavitoria are both set to play in the upcoming season.

This, after Maraguinot skipped Season 81, which saw the Lady Eagles regain the crown after a thrilling finals series against University of Santo Tomas. Lavitoria last played for the Lady Eagles in Season 79, where they made the finals but lost to De La Salle University.

• READ: UAAP adopts new volleyball schedule for Season 82

Both players took part in the team's recent training camp in Japan.

Their return is another welcome development for the Lady Eagles, whose title retention bid received a massive boost last November when Kat Tolentino announced that she will play in her final season of eligibility.

Tolentino had earlier "signed off" from the team after they won the Season 81 title, but made an about-face just a few months later.

• READ: Tolentino set to return for final season with Ateneo

Maraguinot is expected to provide a scoring punch for the Lady Eagles. She was the sixth leading scorer in the league in Season 80, with 203 points. Lavitoria, meanwhile, gives the team another option in the setter and libero positions.

Maraguinot played for Sta. Lucia in the Philippine Superliga last year, while Lavitoria suited up for Generika.

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