Even if his UAAP career didn’t have the ideal end, Marck Espejo still has plenty to be happy about.
After absorbing his second defeat in the Finals at the hands of fierce rivals National University Bulldogs, Espejo immediately had to put on a smile to receive his fifth UAAP Most Valuable Player award. Only the third student-athlete to be MVP in each of his playing years, Espejo thanked the Ateneo faithful and his teammates.
“Hindi po talaga ito magiging posible kung wala kayo,” Espejo told the Ateneo crowd inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Para po ito sa mga teammates ko na sumuporta sa akin. Dahil sa kanila, marami kami at akong naabot na hindi namin makukuha nang mag-isa lang.”
The 21-year-old spiker not only has several other UAAP recognitions, he has a long list of accolades spanning club leagues and National Team appearances.
With three UAAP titles, it’s clear Espejo is on a different level, and he’s looking to elevate his play by going abroad.
Not willing to give out specific details, Espejo says that he is looking to campaign overseas, possibly in Japan, after playing for the Cignal HD Spikers in the Premier Volleyball League with head coach Oliver Almadro.
“May offer na si Marck.
“Wala pang contract. ‘Pag nag-press conference tatawagin namin kayo. At the end of the month. They really want a big press conference. I’m sure everybody will be there. It’s a huge team in Japan,” said Almadro about his ward.
Espejo knows that his talent and legacy now transcends what he does on the court.
“Siyempre personally parang ‘di ako sanay sa mga ganun. Sa akin, parang nahihiya ako pero sabi nga ni coach, blessing sa akin yun, blessing sa amin sa team na ako yung face ng Philippine volleyball ba ‘yun o men’s volleyball, sa UAAP,” said the all-time UAAP great.
“Siguro pressure sya kasi syempre ‘pag sasabihin na ganun ka, may expectations yung mga tao, kailangan lampasan mo yung expectations nila. Pero siguro challenge lang talaga sa akin yung ganun. Siyempre may pressure and siguro nasa akin na lang yun kung paano ko iha-handle.”
