Marck Espejo, Alas Pilipinas aiming high at SEA Games

MANILA, Philippines, October 22 ------ Alas Pilipinas men seek to return to the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) final in December after turning heads in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. The Alas official page has revealed the groupings in the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand with the men’s national volleyball team being grouped with three-peat champion Indonesia, fast-rising Cambodia, which reached the 2023 final and won bronze in 2022, and Myanmar in Pool B.

Pool A has host Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and Laos. “It’s still going to be a challenge because all the teams are preparing hard for the SEA Games. Especially Cambodia and Myanmar, we haven’t seen much of them in recent tournaments, but we know they compete at a high level in volleyball,” said Alas Pilipinas 10-year veteran Marck Espejo.

Espejo was one of the top gunners of Alas Pilipinas with Bryan Bagunas, Leo Ordiales, and Owa Retamar after an impressive showing in the World Championship, where they beat Egypt and narrowly missed the round of 16 after a heartbreaking five-set loss to Iran. The longtime national team player says the squad’s goal is to reach the final again after a runner-up finish in the 2019 SEA Games Manila. “I’m really excited to play again. This time, our team’s goal isn’t just to reach the semifinals, we want to make it to the finals,” said Espejo as the potential of the men’s team has been unlocked by Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni.

Spikers’ Turf, which opens on Monday next week, has expressed its full support, as well as the men’s clubs, allowing the players to join the national team training camp on November 15 or even earlier. “We’re fully supporting our national team here at Spikers’ Turf. That’s why we’re allowing national team players to join practices, training camps, or whatever plans the national team has. Even before November 15, they’re free to go. We already spoke with the different teams to get their thoughts and suggestions too. So that’s how we came up with our solution,” said Spikers’ Turf tournament director Mozzy Ravena in Filipino. “It’s not really a problem because support for the national team should always come first. What we’re doing now is allowing teams with national team players to bring in additional players as substitutes for those who will be joining the national team.”

Bryan Bagunas, who is with his SV.League club Osaka Bluteon, has also committed to the national team for the SEA Games amid the ongoing club season. Meanwhile, Alas Pilipinas women’s quest to end a 20-year medal drought starts in Pool A against the dynasty of 16-time gold medalist Thailand and Singapore. Silver medalist Vietnam and bronze medalist Indonesia headline Pool B with Myanmar and Malaysia. Under the leadership of setter Jia De Guzman, young guns Angel Canino, Alyssa Solomon, Eya Laure, and Bella Belen reached the final of the AVC Nations Cup and won two bronze medals in the SEA V-League this year.

Source: inquirer.net