Nico Almendras has grown to be National University-Sta. Elena's main star in the 2022 Spikers' Turf Open Conference.
And his level of play continues to trend upward during the round-robin semifinals between the Nationals, PGJC-Navy, Cignal, and VNS-One Alicia.
The 6-foot-2 wing spiker led NU-Sta. Elena to a reverse sweep of the HD Spikers to open the semis, 20-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 15-10, where he dropped a league-high 30 points last Thursday.
And on Saturday's match against top seed Sealions, Almendras spearheaded the Nationals' attack anew with 16 points in their 25-21, 25-17, 26-24 win at Paco Arena.
"Dapat lang. In-earn niya talaga 'yung sitwasyon na ito eh na silang dalawa ni Owa 'yung magkasama sa team," said NU-Sta. Elena coach Dante Alinsunurin of his main gunner.
Almendras was a consistent presence for the Nationals even in the eliminations where they figured in a three-way tie at the top with PGJC-Navy and Cignal at 5-1.
The pride of Talisay, Batangas was fourth in scoring in the elimination round with 78 points while also being second in spiking at 46.4 percent success rate.
"Sabi ko sa kanya kung ano man 'yung natitira sayo ibigay mo na kasi para naman sa career mo yan," recalled Alinsunurin in one of his conversations with Almendras.
"Buti ngayon nagtuloy tuloy na 'yung galaw niya."
