Palarong Pambansa 2025: MU strikes down NU to book ticket to reg’ls, 3–1

Article by: Setheleh Liam G. Ramos

Graphics by: Alaisa C. Magueriano

Photo: Elizabeth Shyne T. Cuarteros

Coating the face of Manila in red and gold, the Mapúa University (MU) Junior Men’s Volleyball Team brought the championship title to the walls of Intramuros against the National University (NU) Juniors, 3–1, in the DepEd Palarong Pambansa Manila Meet 2025 Finals held at the Sta. Ana Elementary School on November 21.

When asked on what gave the Mapúans the winning edge, Coach John de Guzman shared, “Well siguro yung experience and hardwork ng mga bata namin kasi matagal na din namin ito pinaghirapan at ngayon nagbubunga na and syempre from last year na di kami nanalo sa NCAA ng championship [...]Madami din sacrifice mga bata namin wala silang phone for how many months na at training lang talaga ang focus namin kaya I can say pinaghirapan talaga namin ng mga bata ito.”

Showing the fruits of their sacrifice and training, MU junior Roderick Medino was awarded Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Outside Spiker, along with Titus Villacrusis, deemed Best Middle Blocker, and James Curitana, deemed Best Libero.          

The MU Juniors participated in multiple tournaments over the past months, namely the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Volleyball Tournament, Spikers’ Turf 2025 under the team Volleyball Never Stops (VNS), and the recently concluded Manila Meet. “Ang pinaka challenge would be yung mga operational expenses syempre sabay sabay ang mga leagues so yung mga expenses namin medyo malaki. Good thing may isang team na nag support sa amin during these ongoing tournaments,” de Guzman shared on the challenges they faced along the way.

Showing their dominion over the taraflex, the home squad pierced through Arellano University’s contenders in the semi-finals, 3–1, and swept Holy Trinity Academy in the quarter finals, 2–0. Along with this, the MU Juniors achieved a perfect 5–0 slate in the elimination rounds, remaining untouched on the court.

“Para sa [Mapúans], we will be asking for your support para sa mga upcoming tournaments and we hope we will get the support we need for the upcoming [NCAA] and DepEd palarong ncr meet.” de Guzman expressed his message to the Mapúan community.

With the final game under their belt, the Intramuros-based squad achieved an 8–0 golden run across the tournament and set their sights towards the upcoming Palarong Pambansa National Capital Region (NCR) this February.