Cignal star Marck Espejo is bracing for a dogfight with AMC-Cotabato in Game Two of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference finals.
The HD Spikers drew first blood in the series through a tight 25-22, 25-22, 28-26 sweep of the Cotabato Spikers at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Wednesday night but Espejo is wary of a potential fightback from their counterparts come the second game on Friday.
“Sa ngayon masaya po kasi one down, pero di naman basta-basta ibibigay ng AMC itong game two, pag hihirapan pa rin talaga namin,” Espejo said moments after their Game One win.
The three-time Spikers’ Turf and two-time PVL MVP finished with 26 points in just three sets played on 22 attacks, three aces, and one block to spearhead Cignal’s return to the Open Conference throne.
Espejo delivered the crucial hits as well, scoring three of the HD Spikers’ last three points in the extended third frame where Cotabato took a 24-23 advantage only to fall short in the end.
“Siguro collective effort talaga, masaya na kami naglalaro sa loob ng court. At nag tulong-tulong kami. Sabi nga namin pag nag ha-huddle kami good vibes, good vibes lang,” said Espejo.
“So walang pressure enjoy lang namin ‘yung game, tapos lahat susunod na.”
The former FC Tokyo import hopes that the HD Spikers can sustain their momentum in Game Two and finally reclaim the crown that they lost to National University last year.
“So sa ngayon pahinga muna, bukas training aralin ulit namin kung ano ‘yung mga mali namin at kung san kami malakas. And I, hope na sa Friday makuha ulit namin ‘yung nasa amin dati.”
