FIRST, it was Jaja Santiago. Then came Bryan Bagunas.
This time, it’s Leo Aringo’s turn to take his talents to the Land of the Rising Sun.
The Davao-born National U alum is set to turn pro in the Japan V.League, the second tier of Japanese club volleyball, with Saitama Azalea for the 2025-26 season.
“Fresh from winning his third career UAAP championship, finals MVP and former captain Leo Aringo is taking his talents to the Japanese V.League in the 2025–26 season after signing with Saitama Azalea,” the Bulldogs’ statement wrote.
“A testament to the tried, tested Bulldog pride and programme.”
That NU program saw top talents like Santiago also play for Saitama Ageo Medics before winning the Japan SV.League title with Osaka Marvelous and Bagunas launch his overseas career with Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler before heading to Taiwan for a title-winning run with Win Streak.
READ: Bryan Bagunas confident he'll be back in time for FIVB Worlds
Aringo, 24, captained the Bulldogs to a golden five-peat, capped by the match-clinching hit in Game 2 of the UAAP Season 87 title series over Far Eastern University and an eventual Finals MVP nod.
He was 10th overall in the league in scoring back in Season 87 with 176 points (12.57 per game) built on 157 attacks, 15 blocks and four aces.
From one NU captain to another
Ultimately, Aringo blazed a trail identical to that of another former NU skipper in Bagunas by rising to the pro ranks abroad immediately after the conclusion of his UAAP career six years ago.
He graduated with a degree in physical education shortly before the Season 87 finals.
Aringo will join a Saitama side that ranked second in regular season play with a 21-7 win-loss record before dropping to fourth in the playoff stage.
With the choice of playing one last year as a Bulldog, the captain has decided to take the leap of faith from Sampaloc to Saitama.
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