MARCK Espejo was inconsolable, as he held back tears in the crushing aftermath of a 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22 loss to Iran that sent the Philippines packing from the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
READ: Iran ousts brave Alas Men from FIVB Worlds in five-set thriller
Proud as he was with Alas Pilipinas Men’s underdog run for the ages, Espejo couldn’t get past the thought of what could’ve been after squandering six match points in the fifth set.
“Sayang po kasi akala namin, sa’tin na. Sayang lang po talaga,” said Espejo, who had 15 points in one of the most heartbreaking losses Filipinos have suffered on the international stage.
“Akala natin nu’ng panalo na tayo, grabe yung sigaw ng mga tao, nakaka-overwhelm. Almost. Ang sakit.”
Fighting through emotions in a crushing post-game interview, he’d come to a conclusion that maybe, such a breakthrough wasn’t meant to be for the Philippines - not yet, at least.
“Sa’tin 'to dapat, pero ‘di pa po talaga time ngayon,” he said.
“Sinabi ko rin sa team na nothing to be ashamed of talaga kasi ginawa lang talaga namin yung best namin. Nakakagulat na maging ganito resulta against the top teams, pero pinaghirapan din talaga kasi namin ito. Nag-prepare kami nang super hirap para hindi lang matambakan, matalo sa World Championship.”
Alas Men proves it belongs
In the year-long buildup to the FIVB Worlds, the hosts were already at ease with how chasing set wins and match wins would be quite a reach against a trio of global powerhouses in Tunisia, Egypt, and Iran.
Sure, Alas will leave the tournament with a stinging defeat. But they’ll be more than proud to have upheld head coach Angiolino Frigoni’s humble battlecry on the world stage.
“Sabi nga ni coach, nothing to lose kami and so much more to gain,” Espejo said.
“Maraming pinagdaanan, nag-pay off naman din po, pero hindi pa naman dito natatapos yung journey ng team.”
READ: No regrets for Frigoni even as Alas Men wakes up from dream run
Moments after his emotional interview, Espejo had a tearful exchange with Frigoni who consoled the national team veteran for a fight well fought before walking away.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
