The much-awaited clash between perennial rivals, De La Salle University (DLSU) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), is set to ignite the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament as the defending champions, DLSU Lady Spikers, aim to bounce back from their first loss of the season.

DLSU suffered a surprising setback in their previous match against the University of Santo Tomas, ending their unbeaten streak with a 12-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16, 12-15 defeat. Despite this setback, the Lady Spikers remain formidable contenders, having dominated their rivalry with ADMU by winning 12 consecutive matches since May 2017.

On the other hand, ADMU’s Lady Eagles enter the matchup with renewed confidence following a thrilling reverse sweep against the University of the Philippines, securing their first win of the season. Despite facing an uphill battle, ADMU displayed resilience and determination, clinching victory with a final score of 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-17, 15-9.

The stage is set for a captivating showdown between two powerhouse teams, with first serve scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena. ADMU’s Brazilian coach, Sergio Veloso, emphasized his team’s commitment to giving their best effort regardless of the opponent, setting the stage for a highly competitive encounter.

Lyann de Guzman, ADMU’s standout player who tallied a career-high 24 points against UP, exuded confidence in her team’s ability to compete against the defending champions. Acknowledging the magnitude of the ADMU-DLSU rivalry, de Guzman stressed the importance of staying focused and executing their game plan effectively to secure victory.

Meanwhile, in the men’s division, the action continues as the four-time defending champions, National University (NU) Bulldogs, face off against the Fighting Maroons at 10:00 a.m. The highly anticipated showdown between the ADMU Blue Eagles and the DLSU Green Spikers follows at 12:00 noon, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.