After a year abroad, Andrei Delicana has decided to return to his roots.
But instead of rejoining Far Eastern University, the 6-foot open spiker has chosen to transfer to the University of Santo Tomas, further strengthening the Golden Spikers’ deep pool of talent as they aim to break through the highly competitive UAAP men’s volleyball landscape.
Initially expected to be a cornerstone for the Tamaraws — which went on to claim a silver-medal finish in Season 87 — Delicana instead decided to pursue his studies overseas.
Delicana shone in his rookie year with FEU in Season 86, finishing 12th in the league’s scoring race with 180 points and ranking ninth in spiking efficiency at 41.3 percent.
The emergence of the 21-year-old hitter in his rookie year ultimately steered the Tamaraws’ dominant elimination round campaign in Season 86, finishing with a 12-2 win-loss record. However, the fourth-seeded UST ultimately shocked FEU in the Final Four to put an end to its title aspirations.
Delicana’s resume goes way beyond his rookie year as he played a pivotal role in the Baby Tamaraws’ Season 85 conquest, marking the first-ever UAAP boys’ volleyball crown for FEU-Diliman.
The standout from Dumangas National High School is set to fill the offensive void left by Jayrack de la Noche, who skipped his final year of eligibility to sign with Cignal in the Spikers’ Turf.
Learning from the system of current Alas Pilipinas Men assistant coach Odjie Mamon, Delicana will also learn the ropes from two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybanez, Season 87 Rookie of the Year JJ Macam, team captain Dux Yambao, and homegrown product Gboy de Vega.
He joins UST’s growing pool of young prospects, teaming up with the likes of former Junior Golden Spikers team captain Kalel Legaspi, Season 86 boys’ volleyball MVP Jon Criz Ayco, Rain de la Paz, and Crisean Cruz.
Delicana will serve a one-year residency this season and will be eligible to play for UST beginning in Season 89.
The Iloilo native is set to make his debut when the Golden Spikers take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the opening day of the 2025 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge tomorrow, August 9, at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
