Far Eastern University rookie Mikko Espartero and National University senior Alyssa Solomon earned the Players of the Week nod from the Collegiate Press Corps after leading their teams to a first-round sweep.

Espartero delivered a stellar performance in Tamaraws’ 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 win against the De La Salle University Green Spikers, on Saturday, March 15, scoring 27 big points.

With the win, Tamaraws completed the first-round sweep as they sit atop the standings with seven wins.

On the other hand, Solomon was just her usual self despite controversies regarding her Korea Volleyball Federation (KOVO) draft. 

Solomon showed dominance in the Lady Bulldogs’ wins against the Adamson University Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.

With the back-to-back win, the Lady Bulldogs finished the first round in their title defeat unscathed, sitting on top of the standings with seven wins.

Here is how the two players of the week played in their respective matchups:

Espartero’s performance against the Green Spikers

In Tamaraws’ 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 win against the De La Salle University Green Spikers, Mikko Espartero was all over the stat sheet in both scoring and non-scoring categories.

Espartero finished the game with a career-best 27 points on 21 attacks, five aces, and one block with seven excellent receptions. In the close fourth set with the Tamaraws leading by just one, 11-10, Espartero scored six consecutive points to have a commanding 17-10 advantage.

With the nod, Espartero edged out teammate Ariel Cacao, National University Bulldog Jade Disquitado, De La Salle University Green Spiker Noel Kampton, and University of the Philippines teammates Olayemi Raheem and Tommy Castrodes.

After their victory against the Green Spikers, Espartero acknowledged the fact that they need to sometimes take a step back. He said, ‘Mahalaga ‘yung healthy pause at dahan-dahan na huminga, kumalma, at huwag magpadala sa pressure.”

Solomon’s performance against Lady Falcons, Golden Tigresses

Alyssa Solomon’s decision to apply in the 2025 KOVO Asian Quota Draft became controversial this week when Adamson University officially asked the league review if that was legal per the rules of the UAAP.

Despite backing out of the draft, Solomon remained unfazed by the controversy as she led the team in their victories against the Adamson University Lady Falcons and the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses.

In their 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 victory against the Lady Falcons on Wednesday, March 12, Solomon scored 22 points on 15 attacks, four blocks, and three aces. In the Lady Bulldogs’ thrilling 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 win against the Golden Tigresses, Solomon continued her terminating attacks on the net with 24 points on 21 attacks and three blocks.

With the nod, Solomon bested out teammate Lams Lamina, De La Salle University Lady Spikers Shevana Laput and Mikole Reyes, University of the Philippines Fighting maroons Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares, and Adamson University rookie-captain Shaina Nitura.

After their hard-fought victory against the Golden Tigresses, Solomon was thankful how her team gave their best to keep their perfect record coming into the second round. She said, “‘Yung panalo today, hindi siya naging madali kasi nakita ko sa UST na inaral talaga nila ‘yung bawat galaw namin. Binigay talaga nila ‘yung best nila kanina and very happy naman kami na pinusuan talaga ‘yung game ng teammates ko.”