BY BETHEENA KAE UNITE
After helping the Philippine men’s volleyball team win a historic silver-medal finish in the Southeast Asian Games, volleyball won’t stop for the team’s ace spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas.
Shortly after their SEA Games stint, Espejo and Bagunas confirmed that they will be leaving the country to suit up for volleyball club teams in Thailand and Japan.
Espejo said he signed for a four-month contract with Visakha Volleyball Club in Thailand and has to leave the country on Sunday.
“Before ng game may pinakita sa’king article siguro yung sa Thailand na yung naglabas. Yun nga, maglalaro ako sa isang Thai Club. Yung team ko Visakha, so aalis ako sa 15 until April,” the multi-awarded volleyball player said.
Espejo will be playing for a club based in Thailand, which the Philippines dethroned in a 5-set shocker in the semifinals.
“Ewan ko baka kung anong tingin nila sa’kin kasi nga tinalo natin yung Thailand,” Espejo quipped.
Bagunas, on the other hand, left yesterday for Japan to suit up for Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler.
“Babalik na agad kasi important game namin this weekend kasi home game yun at makakalaban namin yung team sa ranking kaya kailangan kong bumalik agad sa Japan,” the former National University standout said.
As both top gunners head to their overseas duties, they bring with them the euphoria of finishing as the second best men’s volleyball team in Southeast Asia.
“Aalis ako na proud sa sarili kasi nakapagbigay kami ng silver dito sa Pilipinas dahil sa volleyball. Sobrang saya kasi naka-silver yung men’s volleyball team talagang siguro habang buhay na ‘tong na sa’kin. Talagang nakatatak na ‘to sa puso’t isapan ko,” Bagunas said.
“Aalis ako dito sa Philippines na may medal tapos, siyempre proud ako sa sarili ko, sa bawat isa na nakapag-podium finish. Pero hindi naman para sa’min ‘tong nangyari, though my part, pero para sa mga kabataan na gusto rin i-try yung volleyball. May future din sa men’s volleyball,” Espejo, who is now a second-time overseas import, said.
Before leaving, Espejo encouraged everyone to give the same support they’ve showed during the biennial meet to the men’s tournament in the country.
“Tapos na yung SEA Games, babalik na sa kanya-kanyang universities, trabaho, sa club team, siguro tuloy pa natin yung suporta sa upcoming UAAP, NCCA, at sa Spikers’ Turf. Sana masubaybayan niyo rin yung games ng lalaki,” he urged.