National University has secured one of the country’s brightest young volleyball prospects, as Palarong Pambansa MVP RK Medino committed to the Bulldogs to begin his collegiate career.
Medino confirmed the development to Tiebreaker Times on Tuesday and will be eligible to suit up for NU in UAAP Season 89.
“Siyempre, sobrang saya po. Matagal ko na ring pangarap na makapaglaro sa UAAP sa college at maipakita ang talent ko pagdating sa collegiate level,” said Medino, who was courted by all eight UAAP schools before ultimately choosing NU.
Standing at 6-foot-4, Medino emerged as one of the most sought-after recruits in the country following a stellar campaign with Mapua University, where he helped lead the team to the NCAA Season 101 boys’ volleyball championship.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
In his lone season with the program, he also captured Finals MVP and Rookie of the Year honors.
Medino then capped off his high school career with a Palarong Pambansa title, powering NCR to a 25-15, 25-19, 25-15 victory over CALABARZON in the secondary boys’ volleyball final in Agusan del Sur.
Aside from winning the Tournament MVP award, he also earned Finals MVP, Best Opposite Spiker, and Best Server honors.
Beyond his decorated high school career, Medino has already gained experience at the elite level through his stint with VNS Volleyball Club in the Spikers’ Turf, competing against seasoned collegiate and club players as early as 16 years old.
The young standout believes his time with the Griffins under head coach Ralph Ocampo — who discovered him and brought him to Malayan High School — helped prepare him for the demands of UAAP volleyball.
Although he is joining a Bulldogs program that is coming off its sixth consecutive championship, Medino said he is ready to embrace the challenge and use it as motivation to continue improving.
“Almost three years din po akong hinanda ng VNS coaches sa araw-araw na training, at na-expose ako sa malalaking tournaments. Mas marami pang training pagdating sa college. Siyempre, kahit anong sabihin natin, iba pa rin ang laro sa college kumpara sa high school, kaya mas paghahandaan ko pa po,” said Medino.
“May konting pressure po, siyempre makakasama ko na ang 6-peat champion ng UAAP at karamihan sa kanila ay members ng national team. Kailangan ko rin pong paghirapan para makasabay sa kanila,” he added.
Medino has also represented the country internationally as a member of the Alas Pilipinas Under-18 squad and has remained on the radar of Alas Men head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
His commitment marks another milestone for the VNS program, which has focused on developing young volleyball talents for nearly a decade.
(C) Spikers’ Turf
Another Griffin, Titus Villacrusis, who earned Best Middle Blocker honors in the recent Palarong Pambansa, also secured a collegiate opportunity after committing to University of Santo Tomas.
“I’m so happy and fulfilled kasi I’ve produced a player like RK. Ibang klaseng commitment kasi ‘yan to achieve ang awards niya. It requires tons of discipline, at ang guidance sa bata talagang sobrang hands-on in and out of the court,” said Ocampo.
“Goal namin sa VNS Volleyball Club is to produce top-class players every year, kaya nakakaproud na makapasok si RK sa NU at si Titus sa UST.”
