Armed with almost nine months of training under their belts, the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball team aims to make waves when the 30th South East Asian Games volleyball tournament kicks off on December 2.
“Etong team na ‘to, nag-start na mag-training na wala pa ako eh, nasa Japan pa ‘ko. Parang March pa lang nag-start na sila, tapos May ako dumating,” shared Espejo.
“‘Yun nga, sobrang tagal na namin nakapag-training.”
Besides their thrice-a-week training which started last March, the Rebisco-backed spikers joined the Spikers’ Turf Reinforced Conference. There, they posted an 8-3 win-loss slate to start their SEA Games build-up.
From there, the team tested their mettle in the Sealect Tuna Championships in Thailand and carved out a bronze finish in the process.
The Filipino spikers then made the last stop of their grueling schedule. They flew to Japan for a 16-day training camp, which included 12 tune-up matches against some of the country’s professional and amateur squads.
But Espejo is wary that having enough preparation can only take them so far. And the team, as he pointed out, must remain committed to its goal at all costs to deliver for the country its first ever gold medal in the biennial meet.
“Lahat talaga may talent. Kailangan lang talaga namin ilabas ‘yung full potential ng team, ‘yung isa lang ‘yung igagalaw namin.
“‘Yun, kasi hindi mo rin masabi na kahit mahaba o maikli ‘yung preparation niyo, basta willing talaga kayo at committed kayo, magagawa’t magagawa niyo pa rin ‘yun,” Espejo expressed.
With the team’s preparation reaching its final stretch, the Nationals are currently polishing their set plays in scrimmages.
“More on six-on-six na po kami, puro scrimmage. Kasi noong off-season naman, more on individual skills talaga — block, depensa, receive. Tapos noong nag-Japan po kami, doon po namin parang… Kasi puro games po kami sa Japan, parang doon na siguro ipapasok ‘yung individual na tinuro. So ayun, ipo-polish na lang po ‘yung anim, ‘yung first six,” the decorated spiker shared.
Knowing the fans’ disappointment in the Philippines’ hosting bid, Espejo – who also re-Tweeted some posts regarding the issue – is eager to give the Filipinos something to worth celebrating.
“Hindi naman nakakahiya, parang nakaka-disappoint.
“Though parang kino-compare sa ibang bansa, pero ‘yun nga, nag-host ka nga eh so parang dapat prepared ka talaga. Matagal ng pinag-usapan eh, so dapat prepared ka. Pero ‘yun nga, baka siguro kinulang talaga sa oras,” the son of Marikina bared.
Mishaps aside, the 22-year-old is just glad that the team will have the chance to hand the Philippines its first podium finish in Men’s volleyball since 2005 on National soil.
