Letran remains as the team to beat in the 85th NCAA lawn tennis team championship which fires off this Saturday at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center in Vito Cruz, Manila.

The Knights, led by reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Dave Regencia, will be gunning for their sixth title overall and their first repeat championship since joining the league in 1928.

Letran starts its title-retention bid against Angeles on Sunday.

The Knights snared the team title last season by stunning College of St. Benilde in the finals, 2-1.

Four seniors matches simultaneously kick off at 9 a.m. with St. Benilde meeting Emilio Aguinaldo College, San Beda taking on Arellano University, San Sebastian testing the mettle of Mapua and Perpetual colliding with Jose Rizal University.

Fr. Victor Calvo of Letran chairs the tournament committee this year.

Opening ceremonies start at 8 a.m. with former RP lawn tennis stand out Roland So serving as guest speaker of the event supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Technifiber, which provides the official balls.

Three junior matches likewise start at 9 a.m. with defending champion CSB facing Perpetual, EAC battling JRU, and SBC meeting San Sebastian.