Mikko Espartero made his presence felt in a big way, powering Far Eastern University to a flawless first-round sweep in the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament.
Behind the Tamaraws’ pristine 7-0 win-loss record were their offensive standouts, who delivered when it mattered most in the early stages of the season.
Espartero emerged as one of those key figures, earning recognition as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Men’s Player of the Week for the period of March 12 to 16.
It took just one standout performance for Espartero to solidify his claim to the weekly honor.
After being left out of last season’s talent-packed FEU roster, the young star delivered a career-best 27 points built on 21 attacks, five aces, and one block to propel the Tamaraws past the De La Salle Green Spikers, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19, on Saturday.
Espartero edged out teammate Ariel Cacao, NU’s Jade Disquitado, La Salle’s Noel Kampton, as well as UP’s Olayemi Raheem and Tommy Castrodes for the weekly honor presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and supported by Discovery Suites and World Balance.
Espartero, who also tallied seven excellent receptions against La Salle, reflected on how FEU regrouped after dropping the opening set.
“Mahalaga ‘yung healthy pause at dahan-dahan na huminga, kumalma, at huwag magpadala sa pressure,” he said.
