From revelation to reckoning to redemption, the young UAAP career of Mikko Espartero with Far Eastern University has already come full circle in just his sophomore year — and he’s only getting started on his personal bid for redemption.
After missing out on the Tamaraws’ Season 86 roster, Espartero made an immediate impact in his rookie year last Season 87, finishing the eliminations ranked seventh in scoring with 194 total points, while emerging as the third-best spiker with a 44.90-percent attack clip.
His emergence helped propel FEU back to the Finals for the first time since Season 81, signaling the rise of the program’s next cornerstone alongside Dryx Saavedra, Ariel Cacao, and Amet Bituin.
However, when the lights were brightest, the rookie dimmed.
In their best-of-three Finals clash against five-peat defending champion National University, Espartero was limited to just 18 points across three games — including a two-point outing in the winner-take-all Game 3.
“Nung last year kasi, siguro inamin ko na hindi ako naging handa sa nangyari — ‘yong sa championship na biglang bumaliktad,” said the 6-foot-1 outside hitter from Tibiao, Antique.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Still, Espartero refuses to let one painful Finals loss to a decorated program like the Bulldogs define his legacy at Morayta — and on Saturday afternoon inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, he proved to be a man of his word.
Espartero and the Tamaraws opened their title redemption bid with a straight-sets win over De La Salle University, where he finished with 14 points, built on 12 attacks, a block, an ace, and seven excellent receptions.
Beyond finding his rhythm on the taraflex after a heartbreaking Season 87 campaign, the 21-year-old spiker is more focused on finding his poise as FEU once again navigates a highly competitive UAAP men’s volleyball field alongside NU, UST, and La Salle.
“Malaking tulong din sa akin dahil good thing na na-experience ko yung last season na ‘yon. Naging aral din sa sarili ko para maging mas matibay pa ako at mas prepared ngayong season,” Espartero shared.
With Saavedra and Cacao continuing to be the Tamaraws’ backbone, head coach Eddieson Orcullo also believes that the string of narrow misses across Season 86 and 87 will only further fuel the maturity and hunger of his youthful players — Espartero, Bituin, and Congolese middle blocker Doula Ndongala.
“Yung tinatakbo naman namin sa kanilang tatlo nila Mikko, Doula, at ni Amet, medyo tingin ko maganda yung tinatakbo namin every day sa ensayo,” Orcullo explained.
“Kaya sa tingin ko, malaking bagay din yung nangyari sa UAAP, sa Spiker’s Turf, para hopefully maging malaking lesson sa kanila and dahil doon, mas maging mature pa sila lalo.”
