After a stellar UAAP debut, Mikko Espartero battles another standout rookie in Olayemi Raheem in the first meeting of the FEU Tamaraws and UP Fighting Maroons in UAAP Season 87.
After foiling an old rival down South of Manila, the FEU Tamaraws look to repel another opponent up North.
The Tamaraws are keen for another 2-0 start this season, locking horns with the UP Fighting Maroons in the main game of the UAAP Season 87 men’s volleyball tournament, Wednesday, February 19 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
Match time is at 3:00 p.m.
FEU capitalized on reigning two-time MVP Josh Ybañez’s untimely exit to pencil a four-set victory over last year runner’s-up UST Golden Spikers in their opening game.
That statement served as a measure of revenge for the Tamaraws after their title aspirations in Season 86 ended at the hands of the España-based squad.
Rookie Mikko Espartero delivered a stellar outing in his UAAP debut, logging a game-high 19 points built on 16 attacks, two blocks, and an ace.
Dryx Saavedra and Jelord Talisaya combined for 25 points to aid Espartero’s offensive onslaught.
While the Tamaraws took care of business against UST, it would be interesting to see how the Morayta-based squad would deal with UP’s Olayemi Raheem.
Raheem went off in his first game as a Fighting Maroon behind a 25-point outing that spearheaded a hard-fought five-set victory against UE.
(With reports from Pao Ambat)
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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]