Alyssa Solomon and Mikko Espartero played big roles for the NU Lady Bulldogs and the FEU Tamaraws, respectively, en route to a 7-0 sweep by both teams in Round 1 of UAAP Season 87.
Alyssa Solomon and Mikko Espartero were at the forefront of offense as they each led the NU Lady Bulldogs and the FEU Tamaraws to respective first round sweeps of the UAAP Season 87 women’s and men’s volleyball tournaments.
For pivotal wins which helped their respective teams assert mastery over tough opponents during the week, Solomon and Espartero are named the Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week for the women’s and men’s division, respectively, for the period covering March 12 to March 16.
Solomon, for her part, unleashed a game-high 24 points to pace the Lady Bulldogs in a come-from-behind win over title foes UST in a rematch of last year’s championship match to cap off Round 1 on Sunday.
[RELATED:
NU frustrates UST in five sets to complete first round sweep of UAAP Season 87]
Earlier in the week, she also had a 22-point outing in just three sets in a resounding victory over the Adamson Lady Falcons.
After gutting it out in a five-setter against UST, Solomon bared her delight in being able to help the team achieve the first round sweep.
"Yung panalo today hindi siya naging madali kasi nakita ko sa UST na inaral talaga nila yung bawat galaw namin," said Solomon, the reigning Finals MVP and Best Opposite Spiker.
"Binigay talaga nila 'yung best nila kanina and very happy naman kami na pinusuan talaga yung game ng teammates ko," she added.
In a tight vote, Solomon beat out fellow NU player Lams Lamina, La Salle’s Shevana Laput and Mikole Reyes, and record-setting Shaina Nitura of Adamson for the weekly plum.
Solomon and NU return to action on Saturday, March 22, in a back-to-back matchup against UST to begin the second round at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Over on the men’s side, Espartero fired off a career-high 27 points built on 21 attacks, five aces, and one block, to set the pace for the league-leading FEU Tamaraws against a tough challenge from DLSU in their only game of the week on Saturday.
Espartero backstopped the offense usually manned by seasoned hitter Dryx Saavedra.
For Espartero, it was crucial to focus on his game and tune out all the noise, especially now that they carry the undefeated tag.
[READ:
UAAP: FEU approaches undefeated tag with caution as Tamaraws complete first round sweep]
“Mahalaga ‘yung healthy pause at dahan-dahan na huminga, kumalma, at huwag magpadala sa pressure," he said.
The FEU hitter teammate and setter Ariel Cacao, NU’s Jade Disquitado, La Salle’s Noel Kampton, and UP’s Olayemi Raheem and Tommy Castrodes for the citation.
Espatero hopes to continue stepping up for FEU when they return to face La Salle anew on Sunday, March 23, also at the MOA Arena.