ALAS Pilipinas Men are expected to be in full force when star spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas rejoin the national team in time for the country’s hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship this September.
Bagunas hasn’t seen action for 11 months since suffering an undisclosed left knee injury in Alas Men’s 2024 SEA V.League loss to Indonesia on home soil.
Meanwhile, Espejo hurt his left ankle during the nationals’ 2025 AVC Nations Cup defeat to Pakistan in June.
Both captains confirmed that they are ‘on track’ to fully recover from their respective injuries just before the FIVB Worlds go underway.
“Okay naman po. Every day rehab at naka-recover naman na po,” Espejo said.
“Target ko po talaga is maging 100 percent sa darating na World Championship.”
Bagunas added: “On track naman yung therapy ko. This week, may hop test na ko so malalaman na kung makakapag-full training na ako with Alas.”
Their on-court return might be drawing near, but Espejo knows that there is still a mountain to climb for Alas Men before squaring off with the world’s best men’s volleyball nations.
“Honestly speaking po, super layo pa talaga. Pero yun nga, one day at a time, one tournament at a time. Ibibigay namin yung pinaka-maximum potential ng team na hopefully, mailabas namin,” Espejo said.
“Win or lose, no regrets po basta magawa namin yung best namin at ipakita namin sa Philippines and sa world kung ano yung meron sa Philippine volleyball.”
But with young guns like 2025 SEA V.League best opposite spiker Leo Ordiales stepping up in their absence, the renowned Espejo-Bagunas duo isn't too concerned on what the future holds for the men's game with or without them.
"Sobrang proud ako sa kanila kasi kahit mga bata pa lang sila, talagang pinapakita nila na deserve nilang nandun sila sa court," Bagunas said.
"Super masaya po ako for them kasi siyempre, mga nakakalaban naman nila, mga senior na rin tapos sila mga bata so the future is bright," Espejo added.
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