LEAVING A MARCK
Marck Espejo sprinted toward his teammates, thrusting a single finger skyward—a simple motion for a national team standout, but a reflection of the national program’s triumph.
How apt, considering Espejo’s name is Spanish for mirror.
“For the Philippines, which probably started from the bottom, this is a huge achievement,” Espejo said late Tuesday evening. “It’s a major milestone, and I’m really happy I got to be part of this history.”
Espejo then leaped with a clenched fist and a roar that echoed through the arena, shades of Michael Jordan’s iconic celebration after his 1989 game-winning shot to lift the Chicago Bulls’ in a classic Game 5 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
That was the defining moment that cemented Jordan’s legacy as the NBA’s ultimate clutch performer.
Espejo now has his own: A game-winning block that sealed a 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 major upset over African champion Egypt that he hopes will mark a turning point for Philippine men’s volleyball.
“I really believe that our country has what it takes to [win]. We may not be the tallest or most physically dominant, but I hope that by hosting the World Championship, more people will be inspired to play the sport and maybe represent the country someday when we’re no longer here,” said an emotional Espejo in Filipino.
The five-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo, who backstopped captain Bryan Bagunas and national program revelation Leo Ordiales, may have struggled offensively with a 9-of-28 attacking clip, but he delivered in other departments—especially in blocking, where he had three to finish with 13 points, including the defensive stop that the Philippines will never forget.
“I felt like I could’ve done more during the game, especially in attacking. I wasn’t able to contribute much in that area,” Espejo told the Inquirer in Filipino. “But I’m still happy I was able to help in other ways, like in receiving and defense.”
It was said there was no way the Philippines could manage to win a single set in any game in this tournament. That’s true, because Alas Pilipinas won three against Egypt.
And though the victory will not match the significance of the squad’s silver medal finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, the 10-year national team veteran believes that this was the best game in terms of effort that Alas Pilipinas delivered.
“Winning a medal at the SEA Games is still a different kind of high,” Espejo said. “But this first win at the World Championship, feels like the best game of our lives.”
“We always joke around that when we lose and go eat at the dining hall, we walk in like little kittens. But now that we finally won a game, our confidence and team morale are way up heading into the next match,” he said.
That’s on Thursday, when the Philippines—get this—will shoot for a spot in the round of 16 against Asian heavyweight Iran in the team’s final Pool A assignment at 5:30 p.m. at Mall of Asia Arena.
“We’re going to approach it just like we did [against Egypt]. We’ll enjoy the game and give it our all. We’ve got nothing to lose. Of course, there’s a bit of pressure now since we’ve already won a game and still have a chance to make it to the Round of 16.”
national coach Angiolino Frigoni, who dropped to the taraflex floor after Espejo’s block, was quick to remind his wards, also led by Owa Retamar, Josh Ybañez, Kim Malabunga, and Lloyd Josafat, to brace for another tough battle against Iran.
“We are the same team as before that sometimes plays very good, sometimes not very good. We have to get stable on this level to try to compete,” Frigoni said. “Once we are stable in this level, we can discuss. But for now, it’s one match only though … we know exactly what we have to improve.”
