Marck Espejo soaks in FIVB worlds run after shelving Alas retirement

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Previously a foot out the door of the Philippine men's volleyball team before age 30, Alas Pilipinas ace Marck Espejo now revels in the Philippines' historic hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

MANILA, Philippines – In the past decade, Marck Espejo grew synonymous with the Philippine men’s volleyball team — rechristened as Alas Pilipinas just in time for a period of historic growth in the sport’s local scene.

Through the highs and lows, the former Ateneo superstar was there, spearheading the cause regardless of outcomes, always hoping to one day make enough of a difference and build a memorable legacy when it’s all said and done.

Following the Philippines’ first-ever match in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship — a promising straight-sets loss against world No. 40 Tunisia — Espejo turned nostalgic and emotional as the landmark match coincided with his 10th year with the national team.

“I didn’t think I’d get this far. I think the highest tournament I aspired for was the Asian Games and that was it, I’d retire from the national team,” the 28-year-old local icon said in Filipino. “But now the World Championship is here in the Philippines for the first time ever and I’m so happy.”

“I’m happy that I’m still somewhat healthy after 10 years with the team. I said that as long as I’m healthy and I’d get a call for the national team, I’d go and perform.”

Three months removed from an ankle injury that sidelined him since the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Nations Cup last June, Espejo went for a respectable 9 points against the formidable Tunisians, while his partner-in-crime Bryan Bagunas — also a major injury returnee — dropped 23 big markers.

Having consistently preached that the 2025 World Championship is a weeklong experience harvest and not a title-or-bust campaign, Espejo is taking losses in stride as long as he and his teammates show respectable effort and, most importantly, learn firsthand from the best in the world.

“We need to be mentally ready to go against Egypt in our next match because, physically and skills-wise, I think we all train for the same things. It’s really the mindset and the will to win that sets the best teams apart from the rest.”

Another loss on Tuesday, September 16, this time against the world No. 23 Egyptians, means that the Philippines soon faces the brink of elimination in the pool phase, while world No. 13 Iran is also widely expected to dominate the host nation on Thursday, September 18.

But for Espejo and the rest of Alas, the World Championship debut was never about counting wins or losses, but simply remembering to live in the moment in what may very well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. – Rappler.com