For the first time since the UAAP Season 88 Final Four, National University and the University of Santo Tomas meet again, this time in the 2026 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge on Saturday at Gameville Central Park.
Defending UAAP champions Bulldogs will parade an intact core, with Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, Choi Diao, Peng Taguibolos, and Jade Disquitado all returning to the lineup.
Meanwhile, the Golden Spikers, bannered by Trevor Valera, Rey De Vega, and JJ Macam, are raring to get back at the Bulldogs.
Josh Ybañez, though, is not in the lineup due to Alas Men duties.
First serve is set for 5 p.m.
The women’s matches will feature Letran against Arellano at 10 a.m., followed by College of Saint Benilde against the University of the East at 12 p.m.
In an all-NCAA clash, Letran and Arellano collide to open men’s action at 3 p.m.
It will be a double-header for NU, UST, and Letran, as the three schools will also play on Sunday.
The Golden Spikers face the Knights at 3 p.m., followed by the returning De La Salle Green Spikers against the Bulldogs.
Sunday’s women’s slate will see the back-to-back title-seeking Adamson Lady Falcons take on the Perpetual Help Lady Altas at 10 a.m., while the UST Golden Tigresses, the 2024 champions, face the San Beda Lady Red Spikers in the other match.
The tournament will begin with a preliminary round, where all participating teams will face each other in a round-robin format. Each playdate will feature two men’s matches and two women’s matches.
The top four teams in each division will advance to the best-of-three semifinals. The No. 1 seed will face the No. 4 seed, while the second-ranked team will take on the third-ranked squad.
The finals will also be played in a best-of-three format, while the battle for third place will be decided in a winner-take-all match.
