Defending champion De La Salle University opens its three-peat bid against an equally dangerous University of Sto. Tomas side when action in the 80th UAAP women’s volleyball tournament begins on February 3.

The Lady Spikers will get an early test sans its veteran setter Kim Fajardo, who has exhausted all of her playing years last season, in the 4:00 p.m. main game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Games will air live on ABS-CBN S+A Channel 23, ABS-CBN S+A HD Channel 166 and via livestream.

Reigning Most Valuable Player Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng, Kim Kianna Dy and seasoned libero Dawn Macandili will be back to lead the Ramil De Jesus-mentored squad.

The Tigresses, on the other hand, boast of talents bannered by Sisi Rondina, Dimdim Pacres and EJ Laure, making the UST-DLSU match a must-watch duel.

Meanwhile, top contender National University and Adamson University faceoff at 2:00 p.m.

The men’s division opening match at 8:00 a.m. is between Adamson and NU while clashing at 10:00 a.m. are DLSU and UST.

Here’s the first round schedule:

This story was originally published on the ABS-CBN Sports website.