FROM their college years to the pros and the national team, Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo have long kept the fire burning for the men's game and Philippine volleyball altogether.
And for the first time as opponents, the star duo dazzled in the 2024 Spikers' Turf All-Filipino Conference Finals as Bagunas' Cignal HD shone brightest in a two-game sweep of Espejo's Criss Cross.
Coming off back-to-back championship romps with Win Streak in Taiwan's Top Volleyball League, Bagunas underscored how winning matches and titles on home soil remains an incomparable feeling.
No place like home
"Iba pa rin ‘yung nag-champion ka sa sarili mong bansa. Kasi isa, nakikita mo ‘yung mga fans na nandito na sumusuporta sa men’s volleyball and nakikita ko ‘yung growth ng men’s volleyball dito sa Pilipinas. Sobrang nakakatuwa at nakaka-proud," said Bagunas.
Through years and leagues past, his star-studded duels with Espejo have proven instrumental in the growth of the men's game in the country.
"Iisa lang kami ng goal (ni Marck Espejo) na mapaangat ‘yung men’s volleyball, ‘yung level dito sa Pilipinas. Para sa'kin, it’s good na rin na magkalaban kami para maipakita namin ‘yung level dito sa Pilipinas," Bagunas said.
An overseas champion in his own right with Incheon in the Korean V.League, Espejo typified his unwavering commitment to elevate the men's game by sharing his vision of providing more opportunities for up-and-coming aces to compete at the highest level.
And for the five-time UAAP MVP, it starts with the investments of even more companies to build competitive pro clubs.
Raising the level of competition
"Exciting, very exciting po. Kumbaga, mas tumaas ‘yung level ng competition dito sa Spikers’ Turf. ‘Yun naman talaga ‘yung gusto naming mangyari ever since pa talaga."
Espejo added: "Sana masimulan na ngayon and I hope may mga ibang companies na magtayo ng club para ‘yung mga star players sa UAAP, NCAA, at kahit ibang lugar po ay makuha at tumaas pa level ng volleyball."
Espejo also took the time to acknowledge his mother team's company Rebisco, home to Criss Cross and Premier Volleyball League (PVL) mainstays Creamline and Choco Mucho, as one of many catalysts for the sport's fast rise.
"Sobrang blessed po at sobrang saya talaga lalo na sa Rebisco company, kay sir Jonathan Ng. Sila ‘yung unang gumalaw, minove ‘yung level ng volleyball sa Pilipinas na ginawa ‘yung Rebisco, ‘yung Criss Cross.
"Nagkaroon ng ibang kalaban ‘yung Cignal kasi for the past years, kapag Spikers’ Turf, always Cignal, Cignal, Cignal, Cignal. So may ibang team na and I hope may darating pang ibang teams next conference."
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