By Leiniel A. Santos

Now named Collegiate Press Corps (CPC) Player of the Week (POW) after the team’s magnificent first round performance, Far Eastern University (FEU) Tamaraw rookie Mikko Espartero took on the challenge of maintaining their momentum in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.

With his impressive performance of 27 points from 21 attacks, one block, and five aces during their latest match against the De La Salle University last March 15, the young gunner from Morayta notched the last POW honors of the first round of eliminations. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, the standout rookie shared that his team, coaches, family, and supporters serve as his confidence boosters despite the constant pressure in every game.

“Given na po ‘yung pressure sa tuwing papasok pa lang ng court, but with the help of my team and my coaches, kahit ‘yung mga taong naniniwala sa’kin lalo na ang aking pamilya, natutulungan nila akong ma-boost ‘yung confidence ko at maging matapang sa loob ng court (The pressure is always there the moment I step onto the court, but with the support of my team, coaches, and everyone who believes in me—especially my family—they help boost my confidence and give me the courage to play fearlessly),” he said.

The game-changer

Out of their seven matches in Round One, Espartero managed to produce double-digit scoring outputs in five.

He delivered standout performances, scoring 19 points (16 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace) against the University of Santo Tomas (UST), 10 points (9 attacks, 1 block) against the University of the Philippines, 21 points (18 attacks, 2 blocks, 1 ace) against Ateneo de Manila University, and 14 points (11 attacks, 3 blocks) against Adamson University—all while posting explosive numbers against the Green Spikers.

With these numbers, he ranked first in the spiking department with a 50-percent success rate and seventh in serving with an average of 0.29 per set. 

Espartero revealed that his strong connection with his teammates is the key to his impressive performances.

“Sa team namin kami kasi ‘pag naglalaro na, ine-enjoy namin, eh. Maganda ‘yung samahan ng bawat isa, like parang magtotropa lang lahat, nagtutulungan, at ayun ang pinakamasaya. Kaya din kami umaangat sa laro (In our team, when we play, we just enjoy it. The bond among us is strong, like a group of friends helping each other, and that’s what makes it the most fun. That’s also why we continue to improve in our games),” he said. With this, it’s not just Espartero’s talent that makes FEU the team to beat—it’s their unwavering bond and collective spirit that elevate them even further.

Heartbreaking lesson

The Morayta-squad’s loss in the Season 86 Final Four matchup against the Growling Tigers was truly heartbreaking, as they failed to secure a championship spot despite a twice-to-beat advantage. 

Espartero, however, despite being with the team last year, was left out of the lineup and was only able to play in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge. 

In every moment that head coach Eddieson Orcullo gets, he always mentions how the team is taking an extra effort to improve their mental toughness.

Espartero shared that Coach Ed constantly reminds them to be tougher in every game.

“‘Yun ‘yung laging sinasabi sa’min ni Coach [Eddieson], na dapat lagi kaming maging matapang sa court at ‘wag magpadala sa aming emotions (That’s what Coach Eddieson always tells us—to stay brave on the court and not let our emotions take over),” he stated.

While the Tamaraws are not new in the position of being at the top of the standings, they were able to reintroduce themselves in the UAAP as the team that managed to beat everyone. 

From province to Metro

With his transition, the six-foot-two spiker mentioned that his family was one of the reasons why he took the opportunity to go to Manila with FEU.

“[Nandito ako dahil] sa aking pamilya, kasi alam nila na dito pa ako mas gagaling at makilala pagdating sa paglalaro ng volleyball at minsan lang tayo mabigyan ng opportunity na maglaro sa UAAP, kaya kinuha ko na talaga na[ng] walang dalawang isip (I am here because of my family, since they know that I will improve and gain more recognition in volleyball here. Opportunities to play in the UAAP don’t come often, so I took it without a second thought),” he said. 

The Antique-native spiker was scouted last year to join the Tamaraws while he was playing in one of the tournaments in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Espartero also shared that he got sick after his first training with the Tamaraws but eventually got his groove with getting along with people.

“Nagkalagnat ako pagkatapos ng first day of training ko, pero nasanay na lang din sa araw-araw ng pagsasalamuha sa mga tao dito sa Manila (I got a fever after my first day of training, but eventually, I got used to interacting with people here in Manila every day),” he said

He added that he is ‘happy and proud’ that he got to experience having a second family with his teammates. 

“Napakasaya, at proud ako sa sarili ko na mabilang sa team ng FEU. Dito ko na-experience at naramdaman ang second family ko na minsan, ‘di ko na kailangang hanapin pa ang mga pamilya ko na nasa malayo kasi andito naman na sila para sakin (I’m incredibly happy and proud to be part of the FEU team. Here, I’ve experienced and felt what it’s like to have a second family. Sometimes, I don’t even need to long for my family who are far away because I know they’re already here for me),” he shared.

With Espartero contributing hugely to the Tamaraws, he is stepping into a huge role not alone, but together with the people around him.

He is not taking the spotlight all on his own.

The FEU Tamaraws will try to continue their streak in their first match in round two of eliminations against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers tomorrow, March 23, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate; Layout by Jonathan Carlos B. Ponio/FEU Advocate)