Playmaking was the biggest concern for National University in its quest for a five-peat entering the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, after star setter Joshua Retamar bade the team goodbye.
Retamar left behind a massive void. A two-time Finals MVP, he was instrumental in leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back championships in Seasons 85 and 86. Replacing someone of his caliber was never going to be easy.
With his departure, the crucial task of orchestrating the offense fell to sophomore Greg Ancheta and rookie Jeffe Gallego.
At first, the results were shaky. The difference between Retamar and the young duo was stark — night and day.
But head coach Dante Alinsunurin and his coaching staff, led by former national team setter Jessie Lopez, never gave up on their young playmakers.
In the end, their faith paid off.
NU finished the season on top once again, claiming its fifth consecutive title in front of a record-breaking crowd of 14,517 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Bulldogs defeated Far Eastern University in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the Finals, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
For Ancheta, who rose to the challenge of becoming the team’s starting setter, it all boiled down to effort and passion.
“Siguro po sa akin, minahal ko lang po talaga yung trabaho ko. Kung ano po yung iniwan. Talagang pinagsikapan ko lang po. Pinagtrabahuhan ko,” shared the 20-year-old playmaker from NU Nazareth School.
Ancheta revealed that his dedication sometimes pushed him to tears, but he felt determined to give his all for his alma mater.
In the Finals series, he averaged 19.33 excellent sets and chipped in eight points — an impressive output for someone stepping into the shoes of an Alas Pilipinas mainstay.
He credited Alinsunurin and the coaching staff for honing his skills and pushing him beyond his limits.
“Sa ensayo, lagi akong may overload, talagang tinatiyaga ko po hanggang sa mangiyak-ngiyak na ko. Meron sa isang beses sa isang training, di ko kinaya pero, minahal ko lang po talaga yung trabaho na iniwan sa akin,” said Ancheta.
“Para sa akin po, talagang malaking bagay lang din na ginagawa sa akin ni coach yung didikdikin ako para mas mailabas ko pa yung full potential. Doon ko rin naman nakukuha yung tapang sa paglalaro at nakapag-isip nang maayos.”
With three more playing years ahead, Ancheta is poised to guide NU as they chase a historic six-peat next season.
Only team captain Leo Aringo will be graduating, leaving the core largely intact for another run at history.
