By Andrei M. Barrantes 

Far Eastern University (FEU) rookie Mikko Espartero steered the Tamaraws past the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Spikers with a 32-30, 27-29, 25-17, 25-20 victory in their first 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge match today, July 31, at the Paco Arena in Manila City.

FEU’s newest spiker powered through 16 points on 14 attacks to notch their first preseason win against the Josh Ybañez-less UST.

In a post-game interview with FEU Advocate, Espartero credited his performance to his teammates for empowering him despite first game jitters at the start of the match.

“Hindi ko rin in-expect kasi parang puro error at puro block ‘yung kanina tapos actually, sinabihan ako ng libero namin kanina na huwag ako matakot or ‘wag ako mahiya na pumalo… Nandiyan ‘yung mga [teammates] ko sa likod (I didn’t really expect it because I had too many errors and blocked attempts. And actually, our libero told me not to be scared and not to shy away from spiking… My teammates will be right behind me),” he said.

Both squads pulled no punches in the opening set, dragging the score well beyond the 25-point standard. The Sampaloc neighbors held on for 37 minutes as Espartero sealed it for the Tams with consecutive crosscourt kills, 32-30.

UST made timely adjustments in the second set and capitalized on FEU’s errors. In yet another extended set, the Tams suffered a 27-29 defeat.

After the setback, the Ed Orcullo-led squad polished their play and kept momentum. FEU went on a 5-0 run after the 11-all deadlock and steamrolled the Golden Spikers, 25-17.

In the final frame, FEU sophomore Lirick Mendoza drove the offense and defense to put away UST for good. The Morayta-based spikers finished the deciding set with only five errors to the España-based squad's 11.

Dryx Saavedra followed Espartero in the box score with 14 points on 13 attacks, while Mendoza neared double digits with nine markers on two blocks.

Team captain Benny Martinez balanced distributor with aggressor, pairing his 16 excellent sets with four service aces. 

The green-and-gold squad rises to 1-0 in their win-loss record and will square off against Ateneo de Manila University on Sunday, August 4, at the same venue. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)