Still in his fourth year in college, Marck Espejo has won everything there is to win in local volleyball
Since joining the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles in Season 76, Espejo has won three MVP awards in the UAAP and the collegiate division of the Spikers’ Turf. He’s also driven Ateneo to their first champion in program history and has proven himself in numerous international tournaments.
Which is why Espejo’s absence in the 25-man National Team pool for the 2017 SEA Games came as a surprise.
Admitting that he was disappointed at first, Espejo understood his exclusion since he did not attend any of the tryouts, which had started in Manila last January 28. With the UAAP Season 79 just four days away and academics getting in the way, Espejo said the tryouts had come at inopportune time.
Even with the snub, so long as the team still accepts him, Espejo will be more than willing to serve the country after the UAAP season.
“Siguro noong narinig ko, para sa akin wala namang problema kasi siguro ‘yung coach [Sammy Acaylar] nila, may mga plano rin para sa pool nila na hindi ako kasama doon,” the 20-year-old shared.
“And siguro, if binigyan ako ng chance na makasama sa pool, siguro tapusin ko muna yung responsibilities ko sa school, sa UAAP, sa pag-aaral. If tanggapin nila ako after ng UAAP, masarap pakinggan, masarap sa pakiramdam.”
For now, Espejo trusts those who are calling the shots for the National Team.
“Nandoon na ‘yun kasi nag-iiba yung coach, pana-panahon din ito. And nag-iiba rin yung mga players, hindi lang sa UAAP, pati mga NCAA players din.
“Siguro may mas talented pa siguro, and siguro yun talaga, may mga players talaga na ito yung gusto ng coach,” added the three-time MVP.
With a reported special tryouts in the works for Ateneo players, Espejo will attend if the tryouts are scheduled during his free time.
“Open naman po pero siguro yung tryout na yun, sana ma-schedule. Gusto ko naman sumali talaga eh, pero hindi lang siguro para sa amin, siguro para sa iba rin na gusto. Siguro yung ibibigay na schedule, siguro yung hindi conflict sa lahat, and siguro sana i-announce nila ng maayos para alam din ng ibang players,” the fourth-year spiker added.
“Kung bibigyan ng chance, gusto ko rin naman.”
