Leo Aringo was National University’s rock in one of its toughest Finals series to date.
For his efforts in keeping the team together despite all the challenges, he earned the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals Most Valuable Player award on Saturday, in front of a record crowd of 14,517 fans at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
After two grueling five-set matches, the Bulldogs dominated Game 3, sweeping the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23, to secure their fifth consecutive UAAP crown.
Among their five straight titles, this was the only Finals series that went the distance, as the previous four were all 2-0 sweeps.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Aringo, who may have played his final game for NU, sealed the championship with a powerful swipe past the blockers in Game 3.
With that hit, he helped the Bulldogs become the first team in the Final Four era to achieve a historic five-peat in collegiate volleyball.
The 6-foot-3 outside spiker from Davao City finished the match with nine points, 10 excellent receptions, and four digs.
In Game 1, where FEU edged out NU, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, Aringo scored seven points over four sets.
He followed that with an even stronger performance in Game 2, tallying 10 points and 17 receptions in the Bulldogs’ 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-24, 15-11 victory.
