Marck Espejo regains form as Alas Pilipinas wraps up Europe camp for FIVB World Championship

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Marck Espejo, one of the veterans of Alas Pilipinas Men, has regained his form just in time for the final stretch of the team’s European training camp ahead of the FIVB Men’s World Championship 2025. Like fellow star Bryan Bagunas, Espejo had been sidelined by an ankle injury but has since recovered and rejoined full training.

“I’m taking it day by day, training by training, as I work to catch up with the team after coming back from injury,” said the 28-year-old Espejo from Santo Tirso in northern Portugal, where Alas Pilipinas is wrapping up the last leg of its camp.

The Philippines, ranked No. 77 in the world, began its training journey in Morocco before heading to Romania and finally Portugal. The team has shown encouraging signs, winning two of three tune-up matches against Morocco and managing to take a set off Romania.

MARCK ESPEJO (sixth from left) and teammates (from left) Bryan Bagunas, Louie Ramirez, Lloyd Josafat, Vince Lorenzo, Peng Taguibolos and Jade Disquitado, who looks undecided as he looks at the rack, get some snacks during a brief stopover in the five-hour bus ride that took them from the city of Piatra Neamt to Romania’s capital Bucharest to take a flight for Portugal during the weekend. [photo credit: PNVF Communications]

Veterans lead balanced Alas Pilipinas squad

Espejo and Bagunas, now back in peak condition, are blending with a lineup that combines seasoned leaders and rising talents. “It’s a well-balanced team for long-term growth,” Espejo said. “We have experienced veterans and kuyas who provide leadership, and younger players with fresh legs and a lot of energy.”

Handled by Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni, Alas Pilipinas is focused on building momentum for the world championship. The Filipinos open Pool A action against Tunisia on September 12 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, followed by matches against Egypt on September 16 and Iran on September 18.

Espejo embraces once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

Espejo, a standout from the UAAP and a veteran of international stints in Japan, Thailand, and Korea, has long been one of the country’s top volleyball exports. He also owns a silver medal from the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. Still, he said that playing for the flag surpasses all professional achievements.

“It’s a huge honor and opportunity to be part of the world championship—playing for your country feels different from playing for your club,” Espejo said. “I’ll make the most out of it because this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

He added that the entire team is eager to perform in front of home fans at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena. “This is a huge opportunity, not just for me, but for the growth of men’s volleyball in the Philippines. I won’t take this opportunity for granted.”

Alas Pilipinas fans can also look forward to an electrifying opening ceremony that will feature K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebu’s own Karencitta, a first in FIVB World Championship history that merges volleyball and beach volleyball under one spectacle.