National University’s quest for a historic five-peat in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament faces a significant challenge even before the season begins.
The Bulldogs will enter Season 87 without two of their most vital players, Nico Almendras and Joshua Retamar, both instrumental in NU’s dominance across Seasons 80, 81, 85, and 86.
NU’s championship pedigree will be put to the test as Almendras (Criss Cross) and Retamar (Cignal) bid farewell to the Bulldogs after a fruitful five-year tenure, moving on to their professional careers in the Spikers’ Turf.
“Sa programa naman namin, alam namin na every year talaga may nawawala, every year may nadadagdag. Siguro sa ngayon, naging ready naman kami sa pagkawala nung tatlo and hopefully lahat ng pumalit sa kanila is magperform din. Kung ano man yung kailangan namin sa kanila is makuha at magawa nila para sa UAAP ngayong taon,” NU head coach Dante Alinsunurin told Tiebreaker Times.
Despite the losses, Alinsunurin remains resolute in NU’s pursuit of becoming the first team in UAAP men’s volleyball history to achieve a five-peat since FEU’s six-year reign from 1952 to 1958. The Bulldogs will rely on a deep pool of wing spikers to fill the void left by their departing stars.
Leading the charge to replace Almendras— a three-time UAAP champion and Season 86’s Second Best Outside Spiker— are Buds Buddin, Leo Aringo, Jade Disquitado, and Leo Ordiales.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Halos lahat naman sila nagpe-perform. Sabi ko nga ngayong taon, pati yung bench ko, sobrang malalim. Anytime siguro na may situation, meron akong huhugutin. Pero imagine yung mga reliable ko na like Leo Aringo, then si Buddin and Disquitado, handa sila mag-step up,” said Alinsunurin, who also serves as Choco Mucho’s head coach.
However, the bigger challenge lies in replacing Retamar, a two-time UAAP champion, two-time Finals MVP, and Season 85 Best Setter, whose departure leaves a major void in NU’s offense.
To address this, Alinsunurin believes their rigorous off-season preparation has equipped second-year setter Greg Ancheta and Season 86 Boys’ Volleyball Finals MVP Jeffe Gallego to take on the crucial playmaking role.
“Sa tingin ko, nabigay naman namin sa kanila kung ano dapat gawin ngayong UAAP. Importante lang na dapat makinig and mag-observe para matulungan namin sila at para maging successful yung paglaro nila sa UAAP,” Alinsunurin explained.
Beyond the loss of Almendras and Retamar, NU’s biggest obstacle in its five-peat campaign comes in the form of a formidable University of Santo Tomas squad.
After finishing as runners-up to NU in back-to-back seasons, UST enters Season 87 with an intact core led by two-time MVP Josh Ybanez, setter Dux Yambao, and key hitters Gboy de Vega and Jayrack de la Noche. The team has also bolstered its roster with recruits JJ Macam, Alche Gupiteo, and Edriel Alabar.
“Kung tutuusin, sila talaga yung intact na lineup kumpara sa amin. Halos parehas yung naging path namin ngayong mga pre-season tournament namin dahil naglalaro kami sa mga liga na hindi kami kumpleto. Siguro ngayon masusubukan talaga kung ano magiging sitwasyon pag kumpleto sila at kumpleto kami pagdating dito sa UAAP,” Alinsunurin concluded.
