MANILA, Philippines — Marck Espejo was proud of Alas Pilipinas’ first bronze medal in the SEA VLeague Leg 1 in Manila as he will continue to miss the action in Indonesia, where Bryan Bagunas’ availability is still uncertain due to his knee injury.

Espejo may have missed the first leg action but he was a proud senior teammate to the young guns, who won their first podium finish in five years since the silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. 

“Masaya po kasi from last year SEA V.League fourth place, ngayon third place sa first leg. Panibagong achievement pero malayo pa, malayo pa yun pero nakikita naman po natin meron pa, marami pang pwedeng matutunan,” said Espejo, who cheered his teammates all through out the first leg. “I hope sa mga bagong coaches and system, maka-adapt lahat at magamit sa darating na World (Championship) next year.”

READ: Alas Pilipinas, sans Bryan Bagunas, bags SEA VLeague bronze

Marck Espejo will return to Alas Pilipinas next year as he flies to Japan next month.

He is proud of Alas’ bronze medal finish in the #SEAVLeague2024 first leg. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/vk2mHu77zh

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 18, 2024

The five-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo will continue to miss Alas and will return next year for the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship and Thailand SEA Games as he needs to fly to Japan for his new club Kubota Spears Osaka in Japan V.League.

“Balik po ko, next year. Hindi po ako makakalaro sa 2nd leg. Aalis po ako [sa] September, balik po ako April. Pero hindi pa natin sure baka bigla akong maglaro [if available],” said Espejo. 

For Bagunas, who injured his left knee off an awkward landing from his jump serve, Alas coach Angiolino Frigoni is not a fan of giving updates about the diagnosis of his players.

“In any case… injuries are private questions I cannot say you anything nobody can tell you, nobody can tell you the journalists, the newspapers, the other, nobody can tell you about a private question like that. Besides we don’t know anything…” the Italian said.

Though Bagunas is set to undergo some tests, according to his teammates, Espejo wishes his longtime teammate well.

READ: Marck Espejo back in Japan V.League with Kubota Spears Osaka

“Kaya niya po yan. Malakas si Bryan and prayers lang po for him. Malalagpasan niya po yun,” said the Criss Cross star.

After winning a championship in South Korea, Espejo hopes the third time is a charm in his third club league stint in Japan. 

“Very excited po. New players, new team, new environment. Ano po, naglolook forward nako na ma-meet sila and sa bagong liga. Happy ako nakabalik ako sa Japan,” Espejo said.