Marck Espejo’s much-anticipated return to Philippine volleyball did not go as planned as Criss Cross failed to overcome his former team Cignal on Sunday night.
The King Crunchers, despite holding a 2-1 advantage over the HD Spikers, fell in five sets, 20-25, 25-15, 23-25, 25-23, 15-12, to absorb their first loss after a four-game winning streak to start the tournament.
Espejo was at a loss for words after facing his former squad, which he led to three Spikers’ Turf championships from 2019 to 2023.
“Hindi ko ma-explain kasi kahit naman former team ko yun, kapag nasa loob ako ng court kalaban ko talaga sila,” said the five-time Spikers’ Turf MVP.
“I hope na sa mga next matches namin na makakalaban namin yung Cignal, mailabas namin yung best namin and excited ako ulit na maglaro sa Pilipinas,” he added.
Despite the loss, the 6-foot-3 outside spiker, who just wrapped up his stint with the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos in the Korean V-League with a championship, was glad to see the birth of a new rivalry in Philippine men’s volleyball between the defending champions and Criss Cross.
“So ayun, masaya ako na parang nagbuo ng bagong team yung Rebisco so parang na-push yung ibang teams na mag-invest at mag-perform pa lalo,” said Espejo.
Espejo, who flew back to the Philippines yesterday and immediately joined the King Crunchers in practice upon his arrival, delivered 19 points on 15 attacks, three blocks, and one ace in the five-set loss, which brought their standing down to 4-1.
The five-time UAAP MVP thanked the Rebisco management for investing in men’s volleyball and pushing the other clubs to step up. He also expressed his excitement about the future of the Spikers’ Turf now that Criss Cross has arrived.
“Masaya kasi makakalaro na ulit ako sa Spikers’ Turf with my local club, itong Criss Cross and ayun, excited kasi medyo nagkahiwa-hiwalay yung mga players so medyo may mga match-ups, excited ako maglaro,” said Espejo.
“Super thankful ako sa Rebisco kasi sila yung unang nag-move para ipataas pa lalo yung men’s volleyball. I hope (aside from) Cignal and Rebisco, I hope na may ibang companies or whatever na sumuporta pa sa men’s volleyball ang gumawa (ng team),” he added.
