NU volleyball reigns supreme

National University (NU) has further cemented its legacy in University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) history by achieving an extraordinary feat in Season 87, showcasing its dominance and unwavering commitment to excellence in volleyball.

With both the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs once again standing atop the podium, NU demonstrated that its winning tradition runs deep, marking the school’s second consecutive golden double.

The men’s squad clinched its fifth consecutive championship — the first of its kind in the UAAP Final Four era — with a commanding 25-16, 28-26, 25-23 sweep of Far Eastern University (FEU) in the deciding Game 3, witnessed by a record-setting crowd of 14,517 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The match capped a series that shattered attendance records, averaging 9,966 spectators — the highest in UAAP men’s volleyball history.

Leo Aringo, NU’s senior outside spiker, fittingly delivered the championship-winning point in what may have been his final game for the blue-and-gold.

The 6-foot-3 Davao native finished with nine points, 10 excellent receptions, and four digs — capping a finals series in which he consistently delivered both on offense and leadership.

“This is bigger than just a title. I’ve always told my teammates that I want them to carry on what we’ve started — discipline, heart, and hard work. That’s the legacy our seniors passed on to us,” Aringo said.

The Bulldogs’ team captain’s efforts earned him the finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, placing him among NU’s greats like Bryan Bagunas and Owa Retamar.

On the women’s side, the Lady Bulldogs were the first to clinch volleyball glory with a dominant sweep of De La Salle University, 25-19, 25-18, 25-19, on Wednesday at the same venue.

This marked its second straight title — a first for NU’s women’s division — and its third championship in the last four seasons.

The finals also featured a groundbreaking moment as co-Finals MVPs were named for the first time in UAAP volleyball history. Outside spiker Vange Alinsug and libero Shaira Jardio shared the honor after stellar performances in Games 1 and 2.

Season 87 also marked another milestone for NU’s Bella Belen, who captured her third UAAP Season MVP award. She now joins the ranks of all-time greats Alyssa Valdez and Ailyn Ege as the only players to have won the prestigious individual honor three times.