By Jerome Lagunzad
Games Today
(Mall of Asia Arena)
2 p.m. – NU vs UST (Men’s)
4 p.m. – La Salle vs NU (Women’s)
Prodigy Marck Espejo put on an offensive performance to remember yesterday as three-time defending champion Ateneo outlasted host Far Eastern University, 18-25, 25-13, 24-26, 25-23, 15-9, in a thrilling encounter to keep its title-retention bid alive in the UAAP Season 80 men’s volleyball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Showing the indomitable heart of a true champion, the 6-foot-3 Espejo erupted for a league record of 55 points, practically doing a little bit of everything on the offensive end, as the third-ranked Blue Eagles rallied from a 1-2 set deficit and simply outclassed the second-seeded Tamaraws in the decisive frame.
With the thrilling victory that lasted for two hours and nine minutes, Ateneo neutralized FEU’s twice-to-beat advantage and forced a do-or-die encounter on Wednesday with a coveted finals ticket on the line.
“Ang iniisip ko, hindi ito ‘yung last game namin. Ang iniisip ko, may training pa kami bukas,” said Espejo, who came through with 47 attacks, six blocks and two service aces in what could be considered as the best performance ever in collegiate history.
“Muntik mo nang talunin si (Gyselle) Silva ah? Si Silva ba ang hinahabol mo,” Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro asked Espejo, referring to the 56-point performance shown by the Cuban sensation for Smart Giga Hitters in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix exactly two weeks ago.