National University (NU) men’s volleyball finals Most Valuable Player Leo Aringo may have played his last match in blue-and-gold, but made sure it will be celebrated for years to come.

With a packed Mall of Asia Arena on its feet, the 24-year-old captain rifled the championship point past Far Eastern University, completing a 25-22, 25-20, 25-23 sweep and securing the Bulldogs’ unprecedented fifth consecutive University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) crown.

Beyond the scoresheet, Aringo became the emotional compass of a rebuilt squad that lost stalwarts Owa Retamar and Nico Almendras before the season.

“I had to become the emotional anchor. It was making sure everyone believed we could still win,” he admitted.

Uncertainty now swirls over Aringo’s future — whether he will use his remaining eligibility or leap to the pros. The outside hitter refuses to decide without the blessing of long-time mentor Dante Alinsunurin.

“I still don’t know. Wherever Coach Dante wants me, that’s where I’ll go, because I know he’ll never abandon me. Since I was a rookie, he has always taken care of me,” Aringo said.

“I’ll entrust everything to Coach Dante. I trust him that much — he never leaves anyone behind.”

Alinsunurin disclosed that overseas clubs have already shown interest in Aringo’s poise and steady passing.

“Leo still has eligibility left. But there’s an option abroad that could be much better for him,” the NU tactician noted.

The championship is more than another line on the Bulldogs’ résumé; it is a milestone for Philippine men’s volleyball.

For years, Alinsunurin coached before sparse crowds while the women’s game basked in popularity. Season 87 flipped the script — full arenas, roaring students, and a television share that rivaled the women’s league.

“We faced the toughest road to the title. But the atmosphere tells me men’s volleyball has finally arrived,” he concluded. JASON MAGO