In Marck Espejo’s three seasons in the UAAP, the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles have made the Finals every time; they booked their Season 78 Finals ticket last Saturday.
Ateneo trampled the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in three uneventful sets. Just as easily, Espejo, the reigning two-time MVP, collected 12 points on a beastly 12-for-18 attacking clip.
The Blue Eagles play with unrivaled forcefulness, and no one overpowers their foes more than Espejo. The Marikina native finds ways to disrupt opposing defenses — he can go over or through his blockers’ arms, fire sharp-angle cut shots with ease, and detonate sound barrier-breaking jump serves.
Hitting with reckless intent, Espejo is prone to errors. He has lessened his attack errors this season but his problem with serving remains. Often, Espejo’s patented jump serve careens into the net or out of bounds.
But there are days when Espejo produces magic from the service line. Most recently, Espejo devastated the Adamson University Falcons with five service aces, and drew countless free balls in their final elimination round match. In last season’s Finals against the National University Bulldogs, Espejo was near-flawless with his delivery, amassing 10 aces in the two wins that gave Ateneo their first Men’s volleyball title.
“Iniisip ko lang palagi kapag magse-serve ako; it’s either ace or outside. Kapag high-risk, high reward. Kaya ako pinagju-jump serve ni coach (Oliver Almadro) kasi parang attack ko rin ‘yun. Iniisip ko lang na kailangan ko ipasok ‘yung serve kasi kapag bumalik sa amin ‘yung bola, hindi na malakas. Kahit mag-error, ayos lang,” he explained.
“Sinasabi lang sa akin ni coach na burahin ko na sa isip ko ‘yung ginawa kong error. Basta ang nasa isip ko lang kapag pupunta ako ng service area, kailangan ko lakasan yung serve – as in malakas. Malakas na malakas talaga dapat,” he continued.
When dragged into tough situations, head coach Oliver Almadro knows he can count on Espejo.
“Marck is an incredibly hard worker. He knows when his team needs him and he always does his best to deliver. Sinasabi ko nga sa kanya, kapag nakikita mong kailangan na natin, hingiin mo na ‘yung bola. He’s our go-to guy,” said Almadro.
Espejo has collected a lifetime’s worth of achievements in his young volleyball career. But nothing means more to the open hitter than bringing championships to Ateneo.
“It’s our way na lang of thanking everyone in Ateneo – supporters, coaches, fans. Malaking bagay ‘yung mag-represent ng school tulad ng Ateneo kaya ginagawa ko na lang po ‘yung best ko everytime,” Espejo gushed.
Almadro considers Espejo a blessing to Ateneo’s once-dormant Men’s volleyball program.
“I thank God because he (Espejo) is a gift to Ateneo. Destined talaga na mapunta siya sa Ateneo and destined talaga na i-represent niya ang Ateneo well. This is his dream school and he’s serving his school well. I always tell him na ang accolades niya individually is not only because of him, it’s because of his teammates,” Almadro expressed.
Ateneo currently await the winner of the Adamson-NU tiff to see who they will face in the Finals, which starts on Saturday, 2 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
