Latest news with #MarckEspejo
GMA Network
15-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Fired-up Alas Pilipinas Men off to Bahrain for AVC Nations Cup
It's the turn of Alas Pilipinas Men to ply their trade against several powerhouse teams in the continent as they see action in the 2025 AVC Men's Volleyball Nations Cup starting on June 17 in Manama, Bahrain. The Filipinos are hoping to build on their three-game sweep in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals the country hosted last week, where the Philippines reigned over guest teams from Indonesia, South Korea, and Thailand. Former collegiate MVPs Louie Ramirez and Marck Espejo took turns leading the squad to a 3-0 romp. Ramirez, a two-time NCAA MVP out of Perpetual, starred in their 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22 win against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi before former Ateneo star Espejo handled it from there, leading the charge against Korean V. League champion Hyundai Capital Skywalkers and Thailand national team. They now shift into higher gear in the Nations Cup, where they will slug it out against two higher-ranked squads in the preliminary round. Alas will open its campaign against a formidable foe in Pakistan at 7 p.m. on Tuesday with the latter hoping to improve from its runner-up finish last year. Pakistan previously fell to world no. 24 Qatar in the 2024 edition, absorbing a 25-22, 25-20, 25-19 sweep loss in the finals. Alas will then take on world no. 45 Chinese Taipei on June 18 at 7 p.m. to close out the eliminations. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the quarterfinals while the rest will be relegated to the classification phase. The tournament winner will gain the lone ticket to the 2026 Asian Championship. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Marck Espejo, Alas Men dominate reigning Korean V. League champs
The Philippines subdued another Asian powerhouse, pulling off a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20 win against reigning Korean V. League champion Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Team captain Marck Espejo, who played sparingly in their Tuesday clash against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, took the lead this time around after churning out 20 points on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block. The win sent the Philippines to a spotless 2-0 card in the three-day tournament aimed to serve as the country's test event for the hosting of the FIVB Men's World Championship in September. Espejo got huge help from the young ones in the crucial fourth set with Ken Batas and Leo Ordiales leading a 9-4 rampage that gave Alas a 14-9 cushion. But the Skywalkers, who have just dethroned the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos in the Korean V. League, retaliated with a 5-1 run of their own to slice the gap to one. Batace then answered with two pivotal points, including a strong service ace, before middle blocker Peng Taguibolos poured back-to-back quick attacks that allowed the hosts to secure a 23-19 lead. Espejo soared from the back row, sending a bullet to zone one to hand the Philippines the match point at 24-19 while a service error from the Koreans sealed the win altogether. Alas will close out the invitationals on Thursday where it will lock horns with powerhouse Thailand national team. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PNVF announces 16-man lineup for Alas Pilipinas Invitationals
Marck Espejo will spearhead the Philippines in its homestand when the country hosts the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals from June 10 to 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The longtime national team outside spiker leads the 16-man lineup announced by Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) on Monday, just a day before they plunge into action in the invitational tournament set to prepare the squad for the 2025 FIVB Men's World Championship here. Also included are other mainstays Joshua Retamar, Steven Rotter, Kim Malabunga, JP Bugaoan, Joshua Umandal, Jack Kalingking, Lloyd Josafat, and Louie Ramirez. PNVF has also tapped several collegiate stars in Josh Ybañez of UST, Ken Batas of Ateneo, Echo Adajar of La Salle, and the National University troika of Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, and Buds Buddin. Rounding out the squad is Filipino-American Jackson Reed. Alas Men will open their bid on Tuesday against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi of Indonesia before taking on Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of South Korea and Thailand national team on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. —Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
