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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Espejo: It's a huge honor playing for country

Espejo: It's a huge honor playing for country

Published Aug 19, 2025 02:33 pm

At A Glance

  • The other veteran on Alas Pilipinas Men, Marck Espejo—just like Bryan Bagunas—limped with an ankle injury but has since recovered and doing catch-up in the three-country European training camp that's in its final leg in Portugal.
The other veteran on Alas Pilipinas Men, Marck Espejo—just like Bryan Bagunas—limped with an ankle injury but has since recovered and doing catch-up in the three-country European training camp that’s in its final leg in Portugal.
“I’m taking it day by day, training by training, as I work to catch up with the team after coming back from injury,” said Espejo from their training camp in Santo Tirso, a city situated in northern Portugal, on Monday.
Espejo, 28, and Bagunas, 27, have recovered from their injuries and are now jelling with the team—a mix of young and veterans—since training camp kicked off in Morroco and proceeded to Romania before wrapping up in Portugal.
Alas Pilipinas, now ranked No. 77 in the world, won two of three tune-up matches against the national team of world No. 81 Morocco and yielded—but not without gaining a set—to the Romanian national squad.
These are potential signs that Alas Pilipinas is nearing its mission in the training camp that’s aimed at a strong performance in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship set September 12 to 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“It’s well-balanced team [Alas] for long-term growth,” Espejo said. “We have experienced veterans and kuyas who provide leadership, and younger players with fresh legs and a lot of energy.”
The 32-nation FIVB world championship is one tough competition and Espejo knows that well.
“I will take this challenge seriously and give my very best,” he said. “But I’m excited, right now we’re focused to bring out the team’s full potential. We’re enjoying the camp, playing against top teams, and learning a lot.”
Espejo, like the entire Alas Pilipinas squad, would love to see Filipino fans cheering for them come games time—as well as to witness first-hand world-class volleyball action.
Tickets to the world championship are available online via the official website at www.philippineswch2025.com.
Handled by decorated Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, Alas Pilipinas opens action with a match against Tunisia on September 12 at the SM MOA Arena, after which a first in FIVB world championships history—volleyball and beach—an electrifying opening ceremony featuring popular K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and the country’s very own, Cebu pride Karencitta, will be regaling the fans.
The well-travelled Espejo, besides being a certified superstar in the UAAP, did the rounds in Asia—Japan (Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler and FC Tokyo), Thailand (Visakha) and Korea (champion team Incheon Korean Air Jumbos)—and owns a silver medal from the Philippines 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
But playing for flag and country, he said, won’t compare with his foreign sorties.
“It’s a huge honor and opportunity to be part of the world championship—playing for your country feels different from playing for your club,” he said. “I’ll make the most out of it because this is a once in a lifetime experience.”
“This is a huge opportunity, not just for me, but for the growth of men’s volleyball in the Philippines, I won’t take this opportunity for granted,” he added.
The Philippines also battles No. 23 Egypt on September 16 and No. 13 Iran on September 18 in Pool A action.
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