Gate attendance in Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Finals: 14,517. UAAP Media
MANILA, Philippines – Game 3 of the UAAP Season 87 men's volleyball Finals between National University and Far Eastern University was the most-watched match in the division, setting a record-breaking 14,517 gate attendance on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
This was a marked improvement from the attendance in Games 1 and 2, which drew 5,405 and 9,997 spectators, respectively.
The three-game clash between the Tams and the Bulldogs is by far the most well-attended UAAP men's volleyball series.
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Alas Pilipinas Men assistant coach and NU Bulldogs head coach Dante Alinsunurin could be the happiest man in the arena as he saw this 14-thousand-strong gargantuan crowd — a recognition and acknowledgement that men's volleyball is rising in the Philippines.
With the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship fast approaching, the surge in popularity for men's volleyball suggests a promising outlook for the sport.
"Malaking bagay 'to, kasi nga ito 'yung laging pinaghuhugutan lagi ng men's team. Every time na merong championship matches, doon lang talaga dumadami 'yung tao. Kaya sana magtuluy-tuloy lang. 'Yung mga players namin na mag-continue lang na maging motivated sa nakikita nila na 'yung men's ay umaangat na para 'yung level din namin ay tumaas."
READ: National U sweeps FEU in Game 3 to extend men’s volleyball dominance
As for FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo, he was extremely grateful for the MOA crowd on Saturday.
"Maraming salamat kasi nakikita tayo ngayon sa men's na laruan. Napakalaking bagay kasi na nakikita 'yung ganiyang level ng competition. Kaya sana 'wag kayo magsawa," he said.
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