After three fruitful years with National University, Leo Aringo is ready to embark on the next chapter of his promising volleyball career.
The former Bulldogs captain has officially bid farewell to NU, signing with Japanese V.League club Saitama Azalea for the 2025–26 season.
The announcement was made Tuesday afternoon through the school’s official social media channels.
Aringo steadily rose through the ranks of a talent-laden Bulldogs roster under the mentorship of head coach Dante Alinsunurin. He began his UAAP stint as a sparkplug off the bench in his rookie year, eventually becoming a key contributor during NU’s rare ‘five-peat’ championship run over the next two seasons.
In his final playing year during UAAP Season 87, Aringo had a breakout campaign as team captain, leading the Bulldogs through the post-Owa Retamar and Nico Almendras era.
He finished 10th among the league’s Best Scorers with 176 points built on 157 attacks, 15 blocks, and four aces.
“Fresh from winning his third career UAAP championship, finals MVP and former captain Leo Aringo is taking his talents to the Japanese V.League in the 2025–26 season after signing with Saitama Azalea. A testament to the tried, tested Bulldog pride and programme,” the announcement read.
Beyond the numbers, the 6-foot-3 outside hitter was the stabilizing force in what was arguably NU’s toughest Finals series yet, earning Finals MVP honors in the Bulldogs’ Season 87 title-clinching victory over Far Eastern University.
He etched his name in NU history with a championship-clinching swipe past the blockers in Game 3 on May 17 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, securing the Bulldogs’ historic five-peat — making them the first team in the Final Four era of collegiate volleyball to win five consecutive titles.
Aringo now joins elite company within the Bulldogs program, becoming only the second player after NU legend Bryan Bagunas to play professionally in Japan’s V.League.
Like Aringo, who graduated with a BS in Physical Education before the Finals, Bagunas signed with Oita Miyoshi shortly after concluding his collegiate career with NU in 2019.
With Aringo’s departure, Alinsunurin will look to key returnees Buds Buddin, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos and Greg Ancheta to continue the Bulldogs’ dominance in an increasingly competitive UAAP men’s volleyball landscape.
