SIX years to the Philippines’ historic silver in the 2019 SEA Games, Marck Espejo made history once more as part of the first national team to compete in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The ‘Phenom’ of the local men’s game had a nine-point debut on the world stage, as Alas Pilipinas Men bowed to world No. 43 Tunisia in straight sets, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, on Friday.
READ: Alas Men go down fighting against Tunisia in FIVB Worlds debut
Not known to many, however, was the fact he almost left the national team three years ago and called it quits on a decorated volleyball career early.
Espejo shared how he once thought that the Asian Games back in 2022 was the biggest competition he’d ever have the chance to play in.
And so he did, upon getting called up for Philippine team duty in the 19th Asiad that year. The Filipinos finished 13th overall in the 19-team field with just one win against Afghanistan and a pair of losses to Japan and Indonesia in the group stage.
After that, Espejo, who was just 25 years old then, thought his time with Alas Men was done.
“‘Yung parang pinakamataas na naisip ko talaga, parang Asian Games lang, tapos after Asian Games, magre-retire na ako,” Espejo bared.
“Pero ito, nandito pa po ako ngayon, yung Philippines nasa World Championship, at first time talaga kaya super happy ako na naging parte ako ng team na ito and I hope na mas tumagal pa.”
Apart from the honor of still playing for the flag, his longevity at the highest level with only minimal major injuries is what Espejo takes pride in the most in his career so far.
“Happy po ako na kahit papaano, healthy pa rin ako after 10 years,” he said.
“Sabi ko nga po, as much as possible na healthy pa ako, once na ipatawag ako sa national team, magpe-perform at pupunta talaga ako.”
Nerves of steel, still
As far as their FIVB Worlds debut is concerned, there was definitely one too many tensed bodies for the Nationals on the court.
Once they got to shrug it all off, and hopefully for the remainder of their matches, Espejo thinks a major breakthrough for Alas Men won’t be too farfetched.
And just as he learned in his many years in the game, one has to shake the nerves off quick to be at one's best.
“First two sets po, medyo tensed talaga 'yung team. Medyo nangangapa pa kasi first time talaga makapaglaro sa ganitong big event, sa ganitong level ng volleyball,” Espejo said.
“Pero third set, naka-recover naman po, pero 'yun nga, kinulang. Nu’ng mga past days naman kasi, hindi talaga ganito 'yung team. Siguro, nangangapa pa talaga, pero I hope maka-recover kami sa game na 'to.”
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