UNIVERSITY Athletic Association of the Philippines champion National University and National Collegiate Athletic Association titlist University of Perpetual Help System DALTA square off at 10 a.m. in the 2024 V-League Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.

UAAP Season 86 boys’ finals MVP Jeffe Gallego will make his debut in the Bulldogs, who are missing the services of three-time Spikers’ Turf and two-time UAAP Best Setter Owa Retamar and ace spiker Nico Almendras.

The Altas are also without Louie Ramirez, who has used his playing years with the Las Piñas-based team.

“Well, this is a nice game because it’s UAAP champion and NCAA champion. My team is now in rebuilding because five players graduated, including Louie Ramirez. But whatever happens in this game, it’s a good exposure to develop their skills and maturity. We are preparing for NCAA Season 100. I know that NU is composed of national players but they are human also like us who can make mistakes. Let’s pray that no one gets injured in the two teams. Good luck to both teams,” head coach Sammy Acaylar said in an interview on Tuesday.

He steered the Altas to four straight and a league-best 14 titles last season.

Meanwhile, Far Eastern University and the University of Santo Tomas will meet at 12 noon.

The Golden Spikers will play minus two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybanez, who is currently with the Alas Pilipinas.

In the women’s division, the FEU will be up against the University of the Philippines at 3 p.m., while defending V-League champion College of St. Benilde will take on the University of the East at 5 p.m.

Without Clo Mondonedo, Gayle Pascual, Michelle Gamit, and Jade Gentapa who is now with pro club ZUS Coffee in the Premier Volleyball League, the Lady Blazers are expected to face a strong challenge from the Lady Warriors, who will be spearheaded by comebacking Jelai Gajero.

Gajero has recovered from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear she sustained in the same tournament last year.

UP is seeking to rebound from a 25-19, 25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 8-15 loss to Colegio de San Juan de Letran last Sunday.