No Pressure For Leo Aringo As One Of Nico Almendras’ Potential Successors

Along with the NU Bulldogs’ five-peat bid is the challenge of moving forward without two longtime players.

With the NU Bulldogs’ UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball campaign officially underway, it also marks the start of a new era in the title-winning program under head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Despite fielding a relatively intact core, gone from Jhocson’s squad are seniors Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras, who exhausted their collegiate eligibility in Season 86. They were the last of NU’s pre-Covid era players and were key cogs in the Bulldogs’ championship runs in Seasons 81, 85, and last year’s Season 86. 

Retamar, an elite setter, was a two-time Best Setter and Finals Most Valuable Player for the Bulldogs, while Almendras was a steady outside hitter who copped Rookie of the Year honors in Season 81.

As of now, the Bulldogs will look to develop sophomore setter Greg Anchetta and former juniors’ MVP Jeffe Gallego to replace Retamar’s MVP-level playmaking — but what about Almendras’ two-way play as a wing spiker?

Still with the Bulldogs is a deep offensive rotation that includes Michaelo “Buds” Buddin, Jade Disquitado, team captain Leo Aringo, and Leo Ordiales. In terms of individual accolades, Buddin has proven his mettle as a two-time Best Outside Hitter, Disquitado was Rookie of the Year in Season 86, while Ordiales is currently part of Alas Pilipinas. 

But after NU’s Season 87 opener against the DLSU Green Spikers last Sunday, head coach Dante Alinsunurin also pointed out Aringo as an equally capable successor to the veteran Almendras. 

“Well, as of now, si Leo, kasi talagang [outside hitter] siya before, pero ngayon binalik ko lang siya kasi nagkaproblema si Disquitado,” Alinsunurin told The GAME after Aringo finished with 20 points and 15 receptions against the Green Spikers. “Siya ‘yung naging opposite ko last year...[and] sa performance niya ngayon siya ‘yung talagang nag-receive and nagoopensa [against DLSU].” 

“Pero ‘yun naman, sabi ko naman na ito ‘yung swerte ako, na ‘yung bench ko is napakalalim, kung sino man huhugutin ko magpe-perform. Hindi man matugunan ‘yung lahat ng ginagawa ni Nico, pero marami akong player na pwede paghati-hatian ginagawa niya,” added the champion mentor. 

‘Dagdag motivation’ 

Though if Aringo himself is being honest, the journey back to being an outside hitter hasn’t been an easy process. He had found his stride as an opposite spiker, only to be re-converted back to his original position after an undisclosed injury to Disquitado.

“Kasi iba talaga ‘yung laro ng opposite and iba ‘yung laro ng outside, kaya ‘yun, mahabang proseso ‘yung pinaghandaan namin,” he told The GAME. “Pinakamahirap na part is ‘yung adjustment talaga sa bola, sa bilis, sa height. Pati sa backrow, paano mo iaatake, pati sa depensa.” 

But while re-learning a new set of angles and spiking approaches is far from easy, Aringo had a patient set of teammates and coaches who guided him in the process. On top of this, Retamar and Almendras themselves continue to guide their former teammates according to the veteran spiker.

“Si Kuya Owa, always si Kuya Owa lagi akong china-challenge na ‘Ganito, Leo!, ganyan!’, si Kuya Nico kinakausap din ako minsan, and then ‘yun, ‘yung ibang seniors ko na ‘di ko naabutan kinakausap din ako,” Aringo shared, with Retamar and Almendras already taking their act to the Spikers’ Turf semi-pro league.  

Whether it’s adding to the depth chart or stepping into the shoes of one Nico Almendras, Leo Aringo just hopes to repay the belief he’s gotten from his coaches and teammates this Season 87.  

And if his opening act was any indicator, then the Davao City native is on the right track as he converts back to his original position with the Bulldogs. 

“Syempre masaya, kasi nakikita ni Coach Dante ‘yung mga potential ko na ever since ‘di ko pa nakikita sa sarili ko…Syempre dagdag motivation kasi nakikita naman natin na pinagkakatiwalaan talaga ako ni Coach Dante,” Aringo said when asked about Alinsunurin’s comments. 

Images courtesy of the UAAP Media Bureau.