NU to open title defense as UAAP volleyball returns for Season 87

National University star Bella Belen. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — National University (NU) begins its title defense in both the men's and women's divisions as the UAAP Season 87 collegiate volleyball tournament kicks off this weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Bella Belen and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs will launch their bid for a third championship in four seasons against the De La Salle University Lady Spikers at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs, aiming for a fifth consecutive title, face an early challenge against the Green Spikers at 11 a.m.

Sunday's highly anticipated women's match is a rematch of the Season 85 Finals, where La Salle dethroned NU to claim the championship.

Volleyball action officially begins on Saturday also at the same Pasay venue, with last season's runner-up University of Santo Tomas clashing with Far Eastern University at 3 p.m. in the women's division.

Their men's teams will also renew their rivalry at 11 a.m.

The host school University of the Philippines will go head-to-head with the University of the East in the other women's match at 1 p.m. following their men's duel at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, Ateneo de Manila University and Adamson University face off in the women’s division at 1 p.m., while their men's squads battle it out in the day's opening match at 9 a.m.