After a finals return and the heartbreak of a runner-up finish, Far Eastern University ace Dryx Saavedra is keeping his hopes alive—not just for another UAAP run, but for a possible spot in the national team.
Coming off a career-defining UAAP Season 87, Saavedra is eyeing a call-up to Alas Pilipinas Men, with the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship set to be hosted by the Philippines from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Fresh from being named Best Opposite Spiker in Season 86, the 21-year-old spiker took his game to new heights this year.
He finished as the fourth Best Scorer in the men’s division with 235 total points, built on 202 attacks at a 46.54% success rate — the second-best in the league — along with 25 blocks and eight service aces.
But beyond the numbers, it was Saavedra’s heart and hustle that stood out. He became the emotional core of the Tamaraws’ first Finals appearance in six years, averaging 23.6 points per game in a grueling three-match championship series against eventual ‘five-peat’ champion National University.
With the national spotlight now firmly on him, Saavedra is hoping that Alas Pilipinas head coach Angiolino Frigoni is taking notice — especially with the national team’s opposite spiker pool still evolving behind mainstays Leo Ordiales (NU) and Steven Rotter and Louie Ramirez (Cignal).
“Sa akin kasi ano ‘eh, if may possible na opportunity na dumating sa akin maging part ng Alas, syempre nandoon din ako sa part na papagdesisyunan ko muna,” Saavedra said in an interview with Tiebreaker Times following FEU’s Game 3 loss to NU on Saturday at the MOA Arena.
“Siguro malaki rin yung chance na i-grab ko kasi sino ba naman hindi gugustuhin na makapaglaro na part ng Team Philippines na i-represent yung bansa?”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Still, Saavedra knows the grind doesn’t stop with just a Finals appearance or a potential national team invite.
After carrying the load for FEU throughout Season 87 — while nursing a nagging knee injury — he admits his body is in desperate need of rest.
“Siguro recovery talaga ng katawan kasi throughout this journey talaga ‘eh sobrang dami ko nararamdaman sa katawan. Yung tuhod ko, linaban ko lang talaga kasi siyempre, parang pagsisihan ko rin kasi kapag hindi ako maglalaro sa every game,” the native of Igbaras, Iloilo shared.
“Sana next season, sobrang okay na talaga lahat at wala akong iniinda habang naglalaro. Kumbaga yung iisipin ko na lang yung game at hindi yung sakit na iniinda ko.”
Even with a possible national team stint looming, Saavedra remains committed to leading the Tamaraws’ continued resurgence.
He has two more playing years left in the UAAP, and he wants to make every moment count.
His efforts helped FEU climb from a bronze-medal finish in Season 86 to silver this year — the school’s best result since 2019’s runner-up campaign in Season 81.
“Nandoon din kasi ako sa part na gusto ko muna mag-focus sa UAAP. Hangga’t may playing years pa ako, gusto ko hanggang last playing year ko laruin ko muna,” Saavedra said.
“Marami rin kasi part ng skills ko na masasabi ko malayo pa talaga at gusto ko pa i-improve. Gusto ko full na yung skills at mentality ko bago ako pumasok ng Philippine team.”
Whether it’s a call-up to the national squad or another crack at the UAAP title, one thing is certain: Saavedra isn’t done making noise.
#WATCH: Dryx Saavedra hopes his stellar #UAAPSeason87 run earns him a shot with Alas Pilipinas Men 🏐🇵🇭
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/aZdpHGcd3M
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 17, 2025
