FOR the first time in two years, two of the biggest household names in men’s volleyball will share the same stage in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Local stalwarts Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas have returned to full fitness and will lead the Alas Pilipinas’ historic debut campaign in the 32-team global conclave on home soil.
The last time they donned the national tri-colors together was back in Leg 2 of the 2023 Southeast Asian (SEA) V.League where the Philippines finished last among four teams.
Their last major competition as teammates was the 2022 Asian Games, as the Filipinos logged just one win in three games, good for 13th overall in the 19-team tilt.
To go side-by-side with a longtime rival in raising the Philippine flag on the world stage is a privilege Espejo isn’t taking for granted - especially after being held back by fitness issues and scheduling conflicts for the longest time.
“After ilang years po, ngayon na lang po ulit kami nagkasama ni Bryan sa loob ng court. Masaya po ako, na-miss ko po yung aura niya at excited po akong makalaro ulit siya sa loob ng court,” he said.
Such a prospect gives Bagunas the chills, as he’s set to rewrite Philippine men’s volleyball history after a year-long injury setback with arguably the toughest competitor he’s crossed paths with in the local scene.
“Sobrang saya na nakabalik ako dito sa [national team]. ‘Di ko pa masasabi na 100-percent (ako), but tina-try ko naman na humabol sa team," he said. “Alam naman natin na sobrang taas na ng level nila ngayon at tina-try ko na makahabol sa kanila."
Para sa Pilipinas
With the country ready to rally them on, Bagunas and Espejo are out to show just how far Philippine volleyball - the men's game, more pointedly - has come with the two of them at the forefront.
“As a team, malayo pa. Malayo pa yung kailangan naming marating, pero malayo na rin yung na-improve ng team mula nung nagsama-sama na kami ulit,” Espejo said.
“Nag-gu-goosebumps ako. Sobrang overwhelming na tuloy-tuloy na suporta sa men's at sana magtuloy-tuloy ‘to,” added Bagunas.
“Ito na yung simula kasi kaming mga national team, nandito kami para mag-perform, para ipakita sa Pilipinas na kaya rin namin mag-perform sa World Championship."
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