Reigning UAAP men’s champion National University and defending NCAA women’s titlist College of St. Benilde banner the schools participating in the V-League Collegiate Challenge which fires off on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at the Paco Arena in Manila.

The Bulldogs are expected to be the team to beat, given that they won the previous edition against the University of Santo Tomas Tigers.

Joining the title chase along with UST and NU are fellow UAAP teams Far Eastern University, De La Salle and Ateneo, as well as NCAA squads University of Perpetual Help, Emilio Aguinaldo College and San Beda.

In the women’s side, the Lady Blazers will compete against Lyceum of the Philippines, Mapua, Perpetual Help, San Sebastian, FEU, University of the East and reigning NAASCU champion Enderun Colleges.

The top four teams from each division after the single round elims will advance to the best-of-three semifinals with the first and second-seeded teams squaring off with the fourth and third-ranked teams, respectively.

The finals will also be a best-of-three series while the battle for the bronze is a one-game affair.

Games will be held every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and to be streamed on the official V-League Facebook page.