NUNS battles UPIS to kickstart girls' volleyball tournament

c/o UAAP

Games Saturday at the Paco Arena

9 a.m. – NUNS vs FEU-D (Boys)

11 a.m. – UE vs UST (Boys)

1 p.m. – UPIS vs NUNS (Girls)

NATIONAL University Nazareth School hopes to contend again for the crown despite losing key players from graduation as it plays UP Integrated School Saturday in the lone girls match of the UAAP Season 87 High School Volleyball Tournament scheduled Saturday at the Paco Arena.

The Bullpups and the Fighting Maroons take the floor in the third match of an opening-day tripleheader at 1 p.m.

Meanwhile, NUNS go up against Far Eastern University-Diliman in a showdown of the previous boys champions at 9 a.m., while last season's runner-up University of the East and University of Santo Tomas take the floor in an equally interesting duel at 11 a.m.

Season 85 MVP Kianne Olango, Celine Marsh, and Bienne Bansil were among the vital cogs who have already graduated, with Den Daylisan now leading the charge for the Bullpups.

NUNS ended its three-season reign last February after losing to Shai Nitura-led Adamson University, which won its first girls' title.

Action resumes on Monday in a rare matchday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with girls' matches pitting UST and Ateneo at 1 p.m., and FEU-D and De La Salle-Zobel at 3 p.m., as well as boys contests between Adamson and UPIS at 9 a.m., and Ateneo and De La Salle-Zobel at 11 a.m.

With Nitura now in the collegiate ranks, Abegail Segui takes over as the new captain. The Baby Falcons won't see action until Wednesday, as they begin their title defense against UST at 3 p.m.