While Marck Espejo and Jau Umandal have proven their worth abroad before, JP Bugaoan and Manuel Sumanguid will try their luck overseas for the first time.
And with a chance to be part of the first batch of Korean Volleyball League’s Asian Quota players, Bugaoan and Sumanguid are not about to let this opportunity slip out of their hands.
The tryouts for the Asian Quota players will be held on April 25 to 27 at the Jeju Gymnasium in South Korea.
“Sobrang blessing kasi isa sa mga ini-aim ko as an athlete na makapunta sa ibang bansa at maging import nga,” said Bugaoan, who has been a force at the net for Cignal this 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference.
“Matagal-tagal nang panahon na lagi ko siyang dinidream, at ito na yung chance na mangyayari sa buhay ko na mapasama sa tryout sa Korea,” added the 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Far Eastern University.
“Give all out talaga kasi minsan lang talaga dumating ang mga opportunity sa buhay natin, so wala akong palalampasin na moment sa mga araw na yun.”
Sumanguid also revealed that his and Bugaoan’s inclusion in the 32-man tryout was due to HD Spikers teammate Marck Espejo’s selflessness.
Espejo, who had stints in Japan, Thailand, and Bahrain, referred his teammates and Umandal to his Korean agent Jin, who was then looking for talents to bring to the tryout.
“Grateful talaga ako with all the opportunities na dumarating para sa mga Pinoy, and shoutout to Marck na very generous sa opportunities na binibigay sa kanya,” said libero Sumanguid.
“He is really thinking about the other talents here in the Philippines, which I respect about Marck,” added the Ateneo de Manila University product.
“Sobrang pasasalamat namin kay Marck until now kasi siya yung naging bridge para mapasama doon,” echoed Bugaoan.
Sumanguid is one of only two liberos in the 32-man field. The other is Ryohei Iga of Japan, currently playing for Panasonic Panthers.
Meanwhile, Bugaoan will have five other middle blockers with him.
“Me, JP, Jau, and Marck will do our best because we will not only represent ourselves, but also the Philippines,” said Sumanguid.
