Marck Espejo leads Alas Pilipinas past Thailand on the last day of the Invitationals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Marck Espejo isn’t called the Phenom for nothing.
Espejo unleashed a phenomenal 30-point performance as Alas Pilipinas got the better of its Southeast Asian rival, Thailand, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12, to complete a three-day, four-team Invitationals at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Marck Espejo powers Alas men past Hyundai to stay unbeaten
Struggling in his previous club stints, the Alas captain proved he still has what it takes to lead the Philippine team, bringing flashes of their SEA Games 2019 silver medal by beating Thailand five years later in front of a good Independence Day crowd.
“I’m happy because our last win against Thailand was way back in 2019. But of course, this isn’t something we’ll really base things on since it’s just an Invitational,” said Espejo in Filipino after scoring 23 spikes, six aces, and a block. “It’s more like a way for us to gauge where the team is right now. Still, beating Thailand definitely gives us a big confidence boost.”
With Alas Pilipinas trailing 9-10 in the fifth, Espejo scored an equalizing kill and an ace for a 12-10 lead before committing a service error.
National University five-peat champion Buds Buddin put on the finishing touches with two consecutive kills, sending the Filipinos at match point, 14-11, before Chaiwat Thungkham saved a point.
READ: Alas Pilipinas off to winning start in Invitationals
Espejo soared from the back row and nailed the game-winning spike as Alas completed a perfect campaign, following four-set victories over Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi and Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in its preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
“Not yet [my top form]really. I think all of us have limitless expectations for ourselves. If we can push harder, we’ll definitely do it. But volleyball is a team sport, so I feel like there’s still so much more we can bring out—hopefully, in the games to come,” he said.
Alas Pilipinas men during the last day of the Invitationals ahead of the FIVB Men’s World Championships. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Against the Thais, the home team lost steam in the fourth set but Leo Ordiales and Buddin came to the rescue in the fifth, with the former nailing the timely hits for a 7-4 start.
Louie Ramirez and Steven Rotter were also instrumental with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Kim Malabunga remained a thorn in the side of Thailand with nine points, including four blocks, while Ordiales and Buddin combined for 11 points.
The five-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo waxed hot right from the get-go as both national squads split the first two sets.
READ: Fresh faces to make Alas Pilipinas debut in 3-day Invitational
Alas fought back from a 19-21 deficit in the third with Rotter and Malabunga tying the frame. Espejo scored two consecutive hits to reach set point before Malabunga gave the home side a 2-1 lead.
The national squad heads to Bahrain for the AVC Nations Cup from June 17 to 24.
Thailand finished the pocket tournament with a 2-1 record despite the 25-point effort of Amornthep Khonhan. Chaiwat had 16 points, while Kissada Nilsawai added 12.
Meanwhile, Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi outlasted Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in five sets, 22-25, 25-12, 25-23, 20-25, 15-11, to end its Manila Invitationals with a win in three matches.
Arjuna Mahendra carried the Indonesian pro league champions with 24 points off 16 from attacks, seven blocks and an ace.
Agil Angga delivered 19 points built on 13 attacks, four aces and two block points to deal the Korean champions’ third loss.
Lee Seung Jun powered Hyundai with 21 points, while Lee Jae Hyun added 17.
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