Marck Espejo, Blue Eagles embracing early wake-up call

The last time the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles lost a UAAP match, Noynoy Aquino was still the president.

What made their opening loss to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws all the more shocking was that they lost in straight sets.

Ateneo ace Marck Espejo was dumbfounded after the game. The reigning four-time UAAP MVP conceded that his squad had lacked desire to win.

“Siguro, parang pumunta lang kami dito para maglaro pero hindi para manalo. Wala kaming sinet na goal,” said Espejo, who added that their coach, Oliver Almadro, was incredibly disappointed at their play.

“Sa game naman, wala siyang (Almadro) masabi sa amin na play o anuman kasi nga sa amin galing ‘yung mali. Hindi niya alam kung saan magfo-focus, kung sa amin ba o sa kalaban,” the 20-year-old added after scoring 12 points against FEU.

The Blue Eagles have lost three starters from last year in Rex Intal, Josh Villanueva, and Tony Koyfman. Still, Ateneo should have enough talent to fill in those spots, Espejo believes.

“Given naman na siguro ‘yung nawala sa amin. Naniniwala naman kami na kaya namin especially noong mga pumalit sa kanya,” the graduating senior expressed.

“Siguro itong pagkatalo namin eh wake-up call na ‘to.”

Espejo wants Ateneo to learn from the loss, especially since all teams want to dethrone them.

“‘Di ba nga ngayon na lang ulet kami natalo kaya meron sa amin na ngayon na lang ulet nakaramdam ng talo. Siguro time na ‘rin ‘to para bumalik kami sa baba kasi matagal na kami sa taas,” the 6-foot-3 spiker stressed.

“May mga teams na hindi goal ang makapag-Final Four or Finals, gusto nila na makalagpas muna sa amin.”