By NIKOLE JAVIER
Marck Espejo is happily bringing over the lessons of his first-ever professional title in South Korean when he returns home to the Philippines and fulfill his domestic and national team duties.
Six years since ending his decorated collegiate career in the UAAP and five years since taking his talent abroad, it took the 27-year-old a while but he has now lifted his first championship trophy in the pro rank as a Filipino import.
Espejo, in only his first stint, helped the Incheon Korean Air Jumbo complete a four-peat and claim its fifth title overall in 10 finals appearances in the 2023-24 Korea V-League season earlier this week.
The Air Jumbo took the title after taking down Ansan OK Financial Group, 27-25, 16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-13, sweeping the best-of-five series to extend their dominance.
“Since it’s my first pro championship abroad, overwhelmed pa rin sa nangyayari since then,” Espejo told Manila Bulletin.
In 23 games, the former five-time UAAP MVP played a crucial role in the elimination round where he tallied 111 points on a 53.25% attack efficiency that saw his squad ultimately claim a return ticket to the finals.
With it came an exclusive slot at the table of Filipino champions which includes his national team co-star Bryan Bagunas, Ced Domingo and Jaja Santiago.
Bagunas, who is also expected to reunite with Espejo to represent the country next year in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship which the Philippines is hosting, is back-to-back champion of Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League, while Domingo is Volleyball Thailand League champion and Santiago has won the Japan V.Cup.
Despite lack of consistent playing opportunity in the champion team, Espejo was sure he made the most of his quality time when given – displaying his mighty form when he could.
“Sa team na ‘to parang hindi naman ako nakapaglaro masyado. Wala akong [consistent] playing time. Pero I know sa sarili ko na lahat ginawa ko during training pa lang [and when given the opportunity to play],” said Espejo.
“Isang factor din sa akin ‘yung nag-improve ako as an athlete. Special siya kasi kahit quality time lang ‘yung nakukuha ko, alam kong nakakapag-contribute ako ng malaki sa team,” he added.
In South Korea, which was his fifth stint abroad, Espejo learned to go all out right from the moment he steps on the court to train – either that or he might as well just go home if he tends to relax.
All for volleyball, Espejo has tackled similar challenges abroad in Japan, Thailand and the UAE to keep his well-traveled pro career on loop.
However, the former Ateneo standout is not coming back to his champion club team in the next season as he decided not to tryout and join the draft for another stint.
“Siguro ‘yung experience ko rito with the coaches and teammates, madadala ko ‘yun sa ibang team naman na pupuntahan ko next playing season. Sa five years na paglalaro ko abroad, siguro ito ‘yung best team na napuntahan ko. I know sa nine or 10 months na nakasama ko sila nag-grow ako as a player,” Espejo said.
“Step by step nararating ko na ‘yung goals ko. Pero hindi naman dito natatapos ‘yun, I hope may bago pang goals and challenges [to conquer]. Siguro sa next season with my next team, kahit hindi mag-champion basta nago-grow ka as a player. Nakakatulong ka sa program ng team,” he added.
Instead, Espejo is returning to the Philippines next week on Saturday, April 13, and with zero training with his new local squad Criss Cross Rebisco, he is set to play a day later in the ongoing 2024 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
Earlier this year, the 6-foot-3 outside hitter announced his departure from Cignal HD Spikers after five years of partnership.
Once the local tournament finishes, Espejo will then resume his impending duties with the national team in preparation for its slated competition next year as the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PNVF) is yet to formally announce the national team roster.
With the hosting duties came an outright berth to participate in the prestigious volleyball event where 32 teams are fiercely pitted against each other led by the top sides, making the Philippines possibly the lowest-ranked team in the pool.
“Masaya kasi [we won the bid to host]. Big exposure siya sa Philippine volleyball especially for the men’s side kasi tayo ‘yung maglalaro doon,” he said.
“Hindi naman siguro kami nag-eexpect manalo. Pero I hope mabigyan namin ng magandang laban lahat ng teams na makakalaro namin. Kahit hindi kami manalo, basta maipakita naming may maibubuga kami sa kanila.
“Excited na rin ako makalaban sila kasi dati napapanood ko lang sila sa TV, sa YouTube. ‘Yung iba sa kanila nakakalaro ko ibang bansa [with my former club teams]. But this time, [I’m facing them] as a national team member.
“Malaking exposure talaga siya and experience.”
Keeping himself in shape, Espejo will then head back to Japan to pick up where he left off, although he is still in discussion with the new team he is about to sign with.
There, it wouldn’t be Espejo’s first rodeo in the Japanese league as he already played with two club teams in V. League Division I.
