Playing their first game together in a month, four-time Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo quick noticed the improvement in Bryan Bagunas’ game.
“Nagbago sa kanya yung service, consistency sa service. [Then] yung pasa, yung formation,” said Espejo following their straight-set victory against Easytrip-Raimol last Tuesday.
“So ayun, yung consistency [niya] talaga sa serving, tsaka may variations na siya sa atake.”
The reigning UAAP MVP flaunted his consistency on the service line as he delivered four aces while also gathering points above the net with 14 attacks. Meanwhile, Bagunas tallied a total of 19 points in a well-rounded outing.
However, despite the vast refinement on Bagunas’ skills, Espejo still sees plenty of room for improvement for his rival-turned-pal, especially on the receiving end of the hardcourt.
“Pero siyempre yung receiving naman, hindi isang buwan makukuha kaagad yun eh. Matagal matutunan yung receiving eh,” said Espejo.
Bagunas signed with Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler earlier this month, and trained with them for weeks. Interestingly, Espejo also suited up for the Oita-based squad last year. He racked up four victories in 27 games.
With the 6-foot-5 powerhouse sharpening almost every facet in his game, expect Bagunas to be Rebisco-Philippines’ go-to guy once he hits the floor for the 2019 SEA Games.
“Si Bryan, ito, siya ‘yung magiging go-to guy namin. Kung gusto naming makapuntos na as in eighty to ninety-percent na sure makaka-points, kay Bryan namin ibibigay yung bola.”
And with the chemistry between the two clicking, it will only lead to good things for the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball Team.
