University of the East opens its defense of the boys’ title when the UAAP Season 89 High School Volleyball tournaments make their first serve on Saturday at the Paco Arena in Manila.
The Junior Warriors will try to remain atop the mountain after finally ending an 11-year title drought in Season 88, and they will begin their campaign with a rivalry matchup against the Far Eastern University-Diliman Baby Tamaraws at 9 a.m.
Captain Clarence Gianan, libero Jules Serrano, and Finals MVP Paul Roque have since moved on to the collegiate ranks, but UE still has Emman Marcelino ready to step up as the Junior Warriors seek to defend their crown.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The squad will also dedicate this season to their late head coach, Herbert Dizon, the architect of their drought-ending championship.
Dizon passed away from chronic kidney disease and pancreatic malignancy last February, just months after guiding UE to the historic title.
Following the UE-FEU-D clash will be an equally thrilling Final Four rematch between NU-Nazareth and University of Santo Tomas at 11 a.m.
Middle blocker Ronnie Millan and wing attacker Kiel Biscocho will look to lead the Bullpups back to the summit, while the Junior Golden Spikers will bank on last year’s beach volleyball MVP Karl Escobal, along with setters Chester Esteban and Jeff Abalos, to spearhead their campaign.
UST will open its girls’ division campaign in the post-Kim Rubin era when the Junior Golden Tigresses take on the UE Junior Lady Warriors at 1 p.m.
On Monday, the Lady Bullpups will begin their bid for a three-peat against Adamson University at 9 a.m., also at the Paco Arena.
