Just like in 2019 when they won a SEA Games silver, Marck Espejo and Alas Pilipinas hope their historic stint in the FIVB Men's World Championship will fuel the passion for Philippine men's volleyball.
Marck Espejo has seen the rise of men’s volleyball in the Philippines, starting from when they first planted the seeds with a silver medal finish at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in Manila.
Six years later, the Philippines will be hosting one of the sport’s most elite competitions in the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship beginning this Friday, September 12.
For Espejo, who has long been one of the pillars of the sport since his UAAP days with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, there wasn’t anything that could’ve predicted that they would get into this level — albeit as hosts of the tournament.
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Still on the rise as a program, the Alas Pilipinas hitter is happy to be able to measure themselves against the best in the world.
“From 2019 na Southeast Asian Games tapos ngayon, isa sa mga top event sa volleyball ngayong World Championship. Sobrang happy po na makakapaglaro po ako dito, and kami as the Philippines, makakasubok sa World Championship,” Espejo told One Sports.
“Di namin inexpect na pwede pala kami makalaro dito kaya thank you kay sir Tats [Suzara] for bringing the World Championship here in the Philippines. Mas-showcase namin yung Philippine volleyball sa top [teams],” he added.
Having been sidelined recently, Espejo is more than ready to get back on his feet and give the fans a show.
But more than that, he also hopes that their performance at Worlds — much like their silver finish at the SEA Games — will drive more interest and support to Philippine men's volleyball.
“[Ang wish ko this World Championship is to] hopefully makapag-bring ng more fans and sponsors, companies, to support men’s volleyball,” Espejo said.
“Hopefully, tumaas din po yung level ng volleyball dito sa Philippines at from dun, hopefully, mag-level up and makasali pa sa mga more events like this.”
Espejo and Alas Pilipinas will open their campaign against Tunisia on Friday, September 12, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship will also start with an electrifying opening ceremony featuring BOYNEXTDOOR and local talent Karencitta.
Tickets remain available for the games and the opening ceremonies at the official website.