UAAP: Pair of NU-Ateneo volley duels up

MANILA, Philippines — National University tries to live up to its billing when it battles two gung-ho Ateneo squads in the UAAP volleyball tournament Saturday at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs hope to move closer to winning back-to-back championships against the Blue Eagles, a finalist for the first time in 34 years, at the start of the best-of-three men’s finals series at 2 p.m.

Also standing in the way of the No. 2 Lady Bulldogs in women’s play are the Lady Eagles, who aim to complete an upset in their winner-take-all semifinal match at 4 p.m.

The Lady Eagles think they can overcome NU’s twice-to-beat advantage three days after a four-set shocker against the Lady Bulldogs, 25-17, 12-25, 31-29, 28-26, that forged a knockout duel for the last title berth.