FEU’s Mikko Espartero in UAAP Season 87 males’s volleyball match.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — Mikko Espartero was an early revelation as he powered Far Japanese College to a vengeful 20-25, 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 win over College of Santo Tomas within the UAAP Season 87 males’s volleyball match on Saturday at Mall of Asia Area.
With 12 of his members of the family from Vintage cheering for him on the venue, an impressed Espartero proved his price as a starter, hammering down a game-high 19 factors on high of six digs and 6 receptions.
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“Sobrang laking tulong yung FEU group na laging sumusuporta. Binubuhos namin yung effort namin para sa kanila, lalo na sa mga pamilya namin na nanonood lalo na first sport ko ngayon pumunta pa dito galing probinsya,” stated Espartero, who drilled 16 kills, two blocks and an ace.
SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 87 volleyball match first spherical
FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo and Mikko Espartero on beating UST. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/aynwoyO195
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 15, 2025
Espartero, a seldom-used participant final 12 months, was wanting to repay the belief of his coaches and teammates after getting his break in the course of the Tamaraws’ title run within the V-League Collegiate Problem.
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“Bago ako sumalang dito inisip ko talaga yung laging sinasabi ng coaches na minsan na tayo bibigyan ng oportunidad na maglaro sa pinakamalaking liga sa Pilipinas kaya lagi ko sini-seize ang second na maglaro ka sa loob ng courtroom at [ipakita] yung eagerness ng crew na manalo.”
FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo additionally lauded their setter Benny Martinez, who had 17 glorious units and allowed 4 Tamaraws to attain in double figures with Dryx Saavedra and Jelord Talisayan scoring 13 factors every and Congolese center blocker Doula Ndongalla including 12 factors.
The Tamaraws got here into the sport with one thing to show they usually acquired what they needed after getting again on the crew that knocked them out of final 12 months’s Remaining 4 regardless of being the highest seed.
READ: UST returns to UAAP males’s volleyball finals, eliminates FEU
“Yung match na ito, nung natalo kami nung Recreation 2 sa semis final season, agad-agad gusto namin maglaro ulit. Siguro ‘yun lang yung naging motivation para sa araw na ito, para sa araw na naglaro kami, motivation namin para makabawi. Though first sport pa lang ng UAAP, gusto ko matuloy-tuloy yung sitwasyon namin ngayon,” stated Orcullo.
UST suffered a double whammy with its two-time MVP Josh Ybañez taking place with a proper ankle damage within the fourth set after he landed on teammate Trevor Valera’s foot following a back-row assault try when UST was trailing 18-22 to FEU.
Ybañez, who performed for Alas Pilipinas as libero, was rushed to the emergency room after the sport.
Ybanez had 15 factors and 13 glorious receptions earlier than he was carried off the courtroom. Trevor Valera was a vibrant spot for the Golden Spikers with 11 factors off seven assaults and 4 blocks.
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