MANILA – Defending champions Ateneo de Manila University and University of the East start their respective title-retention bids in the UAAP Esports tournament on Tuesday at the Quantum Skyview Deck, Gateway 2 Mall in Quezon City.

The Blue Eagles and the De La Salle University Green Archers square off at 2:30 p.m. in the NBA 2K category.

“We are very dedicated and focused on going back-to-back in this tournament. Our goal is to repeat as champions, and I believe with this new team-style format, we’ll be very hard to beat,” said Paolo Medina, who led Ateneo to the title victory.

Ateneo and La Salle are in Group A along with Far Eastern University and University of the Philippines.

In Group B are Adamson University, National University, University of Santo Tomas and UE.

Meanwhile, the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang competition starts at 6:15 p.m. with UE taking on UP.

UE’s Zenith Esports, playing without a coach, has the same line-up as last season.

“It’s really difficult, especially since the level of competition in the UAAP has stepped up significantly, knowing that many teams have recruited high-caliber players from other schools -- players who came from big programs and even the professional scene," said team captain John Zel Bartolo.

Joining UE and UP in Group A are La Salle and National University, while Adamson, Ateneo, FEU and UST are in Group B.

The group stage for both NBA 2K and MLBB will run from May 13 to 15, using a single round-robin, best-of-three format.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the crossover semifinals on May 16, with the winners clashing for the crown on the same day. (PNA)