Marck Espejo felt thrilled to have his 1-2 punch partner Bryan Bagunas back just in time for Alas Pilipinas’ campaign at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Espejo, however, stressed that he and the rest of the team need to step up and support Bagunas better in the upcoming matches.
Bagunas shone as the lone bright spot for Alas Pilipinas in their opener, but it wasn’t enough as they fell to World No.43 Tunisia, 13-25, 17-25, 23-25, on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Now fully recovered, Bagunas delivered a game-high 23 points on a 20-of-37 attacking clip, along with two aces and a block. However, the rest of the team couldn’t provide sufficient support.
“Happy ako na naka-recover na si Bryan. It’s been a year po so happy ako sa kanya na naka-recover. Ang gandang recovery kasi siya pa rin ang ace ng team, happy at proud ako sa kanya,” said the 28-year-old Ateneo de Manila University product, who plays for Criss Cross.
Bagunas suffered a left knee injury in August 2024 during a four-set loss to Indonesia in the SEA V.League. It sidelined him for months, making this tournament his first major outing since the setback.
While his performance was explosive, his teammates struggled to keep up, something Espejo openly acknowledged.
Espejo himself was the next highest scorer with nine points, followed by Peng Taguibolos with four. Joshua Retamar, Kim Malabunga, and Leo Ordiales added two points each, while Michaelo Buddin and Jade Disquitado contributed one point apiece.
“As a team naman po, kailangan namin mas magtulungan pa kasi hindi naman po Bryan ‘yung team. Team sport po talaga ito, so kailangan mag-contribute po talaga,” Espejo said.
Alas Pilipinas (0-1) will look to even their record when they face World No. 23 Egypt on Tuesday at 5:30 PM, again at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Espejo hopes the team will be better prepared after feeling the pressure in the first two sets against Tunisia.
“Mentally ready na po talaga dapat kami (against Egypt) kasi physically, skills-wise parang pantay-pantay naman po lahat nagte-training. Pero yung mindset lang po talaga sa loob ng court, kung paano mo gustong manalo.”
#WATCH: Marck Espejo is proud to see Bryan Bagunas back, and admits he and the rest of the team need to step up to support him more 🏐🇵🇭
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#MWCH2025 #Sambansa pic.twitter.com/khhFizHg6f
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 12, 2025
