THE V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge wraps up its elims phase today, September 17, with an explosive match pitting archrivals Ateneo and La Salle in a duel, which also serves as warm-up to the semifinal series at the Paco Arena in Manila.

Game time is at 4 p.m. Ateneo hopes to ride on the crest of its big 25-23, 26-24, 25-9 victory over deposed champion National University last Wednesday for its fifth straight win in six games with the Blue Eagles raring to soar past the Green Spikers and bring the streak to the next round of the tournament, organized by Sports Vision, which starts on Wednesday.

“Every game is important to us because it is all about preparation. If we fail to prepare just because we’re in the semis, it is very unAtenean-like. So all these games, we will take seriously because we’re not in a position to relax and to be chill,” said Ateneo coach Timothy Sto. Tomas.

La Salle is actually coming off a similar reversal over University of Perpetual Help System Dalta just last Friday, 25-20, 25-19, 25-19, for a 4-2 slate as it completed the semis cast that includes University of Santo Tomas (6-1) and Far Eastern University (4-3).

Like his counterpart, La Salle coach Jose Roque is ready and eager to face the Blue Eagles again, saying, “It is a matter of pride, and I think that’s all. Somehow we want to beat Ateneo and to do so, here is a big statement.”

The 3-3 Bulldogs, meanwhile, try to close out their unsuccessful title-retention campaign on a winning mode as they battle the San Beda U Red Spikers at 2 p.m.