Mikko Espartero, a rookie in his first playing year, found himself at the center of criticism after Far Eastern University’s heartbreaking meltdown in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Finals — a collapse that ultimately cost them a chance to end a nine-year title drought.
The Tamaraws were on the brink of capturing their first championship since Season 74 in 2012 when they led 8-5 in the deciding fifth set against the four-time defending champions, National University, last Wednesday.
FEU had drawn first blood in the finals series with a grueling five-set win, 22-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-22, 15-13, last Sunday.
But things took a dramatic turn in Game 2, and unfortunately for Espartero, he became the lightning rod for the team’s late-game breakdown.
The 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Tibiao, Antique committed back-to-back costly errors after the court switch — first, a spike that failed to cross the net, followed by another that sailed out.
That sequence shifted the momentum squarely in NU’s favor, allowing the Bulldogs to finish the match on a commanding 10-3 run and steal Game 2, 25-20, 22-25, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11, forcing a winner-take-all showdown.
Come Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the dream was completely shattered for the Tamaraws as NU completed its ‘five-peat’ in dominant fashion, sweeping Game 3, 25-16, 28-26, 25-23.
In the most crucial game of his young career, Espartero was a non-factor, scoring just two points.
“Siguro nung una, siyempre napakabigat dahil first time ko kasi — first time ko ma-experience ma-bash nang ganon talaga kalala. Pero nagpapasalamat pa rin ako sa kanila dahil mas pina-grow nila ako,” said Espartero, who openly acknowledged his struggles.
“May purpose din naman siguro yun. Sinasabi natin lagi na may purpose yung ginagawa natin sa buhay natin. Siguro it’s a great preparation para sa next year, para sa susunod maging handa na talaga ako at ma-handle ko na yung pressure at maging aware na sa mga ganong criticisms,” he added.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
A record crowd of 14,517 filled the MOA Arena for the finals decider — making it the most attended men’s volleyball match in UAAP history. The spotlight was never brighter.
Espartero had already been with the Tamaraws in Season 86 but failed to crack the final lineup. After a year on the sidelines, he finally made his debut this season and emerged as one of the top scorers in the league, ranking seventh overall with 197 total points in the eliminations.
Following the loss in Game 2 and the wave of online backlash, it was his teammates, coaches, and FEU’s major sponsor, DN Steel, who rallied behind him.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa coaches and teammates ko kasi sila yung yumakap sa akin nung na-bash ako, sila yung mas malapit sa akin at yumakap talaga sa akin at mag-akay sa akin para huwag na pansinin yung mga bashers,” said Espartero.
“Siguro magsisimula ako sa coaches, sa players, at lalo na kay Ma’am Donna (Ang) kasi simula pa lang nagpapasalamat na ako sa coaches nung kinuha ako dito nakitaan kaagad nila ako ng opportunity para maglaro. Nagpapasalamat ako sa trust nila sa akin kasi kahit anong errors ko pinapabawi talaga ako nila.”
FEU’s future remains bright, with Espartero and veteran scorer Dryx Saavedra expected to lead the charge next season. The team will also return a promising cast featuring rookies Amet Bituin and Luis Miguel, along with reliable middle blockers Lirick Mendoza, Doula Ndongala, and Charles Absin.
For head coach Eddieson Orcullo, there’s no doubt that Espartero will bounce back even stronger.
“Kay Mikko lagi kong sinasabi diyan, ano lang, ‘yung, ‘pag nagkamali ka kasi, wala namang ibang pupuntahan ‘yon kundi pagbangon mo, diba?” Orcullo shared.
“Kung ano man ‘yung nangyari nung nakaraan na laro, e ngayon, gan’to nangyari sa atin, yakapin natin. ‘Yun lang din naman ‘yon. Ang pinaka-talagang importante buhay tayo para makabawi kami. I’m sure si Mikko hindi naman titigil ‘yan para makuha niya ulit ‘yung gusto niya mangyari.”
#WATCH: Mikko Espartero opens up on Game 2’s fifth set errors, and the unwavering support from his teammates and coaches 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#UAAPSeason87 pic.twitter.com/IHt93X1XHw
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 17, 2025
