By NIKOLE JAVIER
National University is set to kick off its title defense later this month following a 16-0 feat last season.
The Lady Bulldogs will face the Ateneo Blue Eagles when Season 85 begins on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Season 84 rookie-MVP Bella Belen and graduating team captain Jen Nierva are expected to lead NU to another title campaign after sweeping their way to the championship last year.
The Ateneo side, though, will continue to rely on veterans Vanie Gandler and Faith Nisperos in the much-awaited affair.
On the following day, Feb. 26, the showdown between last season’s playoff contenders De La Salle and University of Santo Tomas are also expected to set the tone for the respective teams this season.
Most of the women’s and men’s games will be held on the same schedule, excluding March 1 and 8 as all women’s teams will be playing at the Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum, respectively, while the men are set to play at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
On March 5, the battle between La Salle and Ateneo will have separate ticketing from the rest of the scheduled games on that day.
The first round of the elimination will conclude on March 22.