Sixteen years to the day after their father’s passing, brothers Yoyong and Yuan Mendoza honored his memory by doing what they do best: representing their respective colors in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
The UAAP has seen siblings face off before, but this edition was especially poignant given the brothers’ circumstances.
While younger brother Yuan stayed on the sidelines, it was Yoyong who stole the spotlight, scoring 12 points — four of which came in the pivotal fifth set that sealed the De La Salle Green Spikers’ third straight win on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“Sobrang daming tumatakbo sa isip ko nun pero siguro nangibabaw lang yung eagerness kong manalo,” said Yoyong after La Salle got its campaign back on track following a four-game losing streak.
“Alam ko, kasama ko ang mga teammate ko kada palo at kada galaw ko sa court. So buong-buo ang loob ko maglaro kanina kasi kasama ko sila.”
For his part, Yuan was in awe of his older sibling.
As a rookie in the prestigious National University program, the 20-year-old outside spiker is still finding his niche in the champion squad. He sees playing time limited amid the Bulldogs’ depth at the wings, led by Alas Pilipinas standouts Leo Ordiales, Jade Disquitado, and Michaelo Buddin.
This is why he couldn’t help but admire how Yoyong — a third-year opposite spiker for La Salle — rose to the occasion.
“Proud ako sa kuya ko kasi matagal niyang inantay yung playing time niya,” said the younger Mendoza. “Lahat naman ng playing time ay pinaghihirapan, at alam ko pinaghirapan niya yung binigay sa kanya.
“Yung pagkatalo naman di masyadong masakit kasi may natutunan naman kami dun. Sobrang proud ako sa kuya ko. Sobrang saya ko para sa kanya dahil sa ginawa niya.”
Ultimately, Yoyong and Yuan will have many more opportunities to face off in the UAAP. As things stand, NU is in a prime position to enter the Final Four after finishing the first round with a 5-2 record, while La Salle revived its bid with a 3-4 tally.
It may have been Yoyong’s day to celebrate, but the fact that both have reached this stage of their respective careers is a testament to their perseverance and desire to honor their late father.
“Sobrang special ng araw na ’to kasi ito po yung kamatayan ng tatay ko. Sobrang special po nito, lalo na nakalaban ko yung kapatid ko na di ko ini-expect na madalawa kaming nandun sa poster na yun,” said Yoyong.
“Dati, pangarap lang namin maglaro sa UAAP; ngayon, magkalaban na kami. Looking forward akong makalaban siya sa future and wish ko sa kanya good luck.”
#WATCH: PROUD AKO SA KUYA KO 🐶
Yuan Mendoza is proud to see brother Yoyong finally getting his chance to shine with La Salle 🏐#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/Ganok6JeQv
📹 @lorenzodelc /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason88 pic.twitter.com/iPms2MaQJc
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) March 15, 2026
