Marck Espejo and Alas Pilipinas during the national team Invitationals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After seeing limited action in the previous match, Marck Espejo returned to form and powered Alas Pilipinas to a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20 win over South Korean club Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in the Invitationals on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Team captain Espejo showcased his veteran smarts and scoring prowess, finishing with 20 points off 17 attacks, two aces, and a block to keep the Filipinos unbeaten in the three-day, four-team friendlies geared toward the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
READ: Fresh faces to make Alas Pilipinas debut in 3-day Invitational
“My mindset has always been to just stay ready. Of course, there are times when some teammates can’t play due to certain situations or physical condition. But I’m really happy that I was able to contribute today and that we won this game,” said Espejo in Filipino, after playing sparingly in their four-set win over Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi on Tuesday.
Peng Taguibolos remained steady with nine points, while substitutes Ken Batas and Leo Ordiales sparked a key momentum shift with seven points apiece after being inserted following a second-set loss.
READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Ken Batas shows readiness with clutch performance
Steven Rotter added seven markers. Lloyd Josafat and Louie Ramirez chipped in six each, while Jackson Reed—a former US NCAA Division I player from the University of Southern California—introduced himself with three points in the second set.
“In our team right now, anyone can be called to play, so we all have to be ready. Coach Angelo always says that whoever gets the chance has to perform. I’m happy with the progress the team is making,” said Espejo. “This isn’t the final lineup yet. There’s still a lot that can change, and we have so much more to learn on this journey.”
Ken Batas and Josh Ybañez on the floor together at Alas Pilipinas. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Batas, Espejo’s fellow Atenean and UAAP MVP, made the most of his extended minutes and proved clutch once again. After Alas squandered a 15-10 lead in the fourth, Batas stopped the bleeding with a massive kill and an ace to restore control, 18-14, before Taguibolos and Espejo sealed the win.
READ: Josh Ybañez glad to team up with Ken Batas at Alas Pilipinas
“Queen Eagle? Okay, okay! Of course, there’s quite an age gap between us. But I’m really happy to have someone from the same school on the team again—it feels good to be with a fellow Atenean,” said Espejo, who previously played in Korea.
Alas Pilipinas eyes a three-game sweep against Southeast Asian rival Thailand—also unbeaten—on Independence Day at 7:30 p.m.
Hyundai fell to 0-2 despite strong efforts from Lee Seung Jun and Lee Jae Hyun, who scored 18 and 14 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Amornthep Khonhan kept Thailand perfect in two matches after sweeping Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, 25-20, 26-24, 25-19.
Amornthep led the way with 16 points, while Thungkham Chaiwat and Nilsawai Kissada added 14 apiece.
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Jakarta dropped to 0-2 behind Arjuna Mahendra’s 16 points and Agil Anggara’s 11.
