Elated was Cignal’s Marck Espejo after witnessing the Spikers’ Turf’s much-awaited return at the Paco Arena on Tuesday afternoon.
Espejo, who played in Thailand, Bahrain, and Japan, respectively, during the pandemic, said that he was very happy for his fellow Filipino volleyball players, who waited for almost three years just for this moment.
“Syempre para sa men’s volleyball sa Pilipinas, syempre masaya ako kasi nga these past three years active pa rin naman ako sa volleyball pero sa abroad nga lang,” said Espejo after leading the HD Spikers to a three-set win over Sta. Rosa.
"Pero ‘di lang ako masaya para sa team ko, masaya rin ako para sa lahat ng players na magpa-participate dito sa Spikers’ Turf. I'm sure lahat gigil, lahat gusto talagang mag-laro kasi ang tagal na walang liga,” he added.
The excitement that Espejo was talking about was definitely on full display. It took the HD Spikers an hour and 38 minutes to fend off the young but gutsy Sta. Rosa in three sets, 25-17, 25-15, 25-22.
Still, the rusty performance could not dampen Espejo and the HD Spikers’ happiness to finally kick-start their Open Conference title defense.
“Dahil nga sobrang tagal, kagaya ng nangyari sa amin kanina parang sobrang gigil lahat, wala sa timing, ang daming errors, siguro dahil nga excited lahat pero I'm sure, ako yung nagsasalita dito pero I'm sure lahat ng players sobrang excited na excited na mag-laro,” said Espejo, who finished with seven points.
“Masaya ako na nag-laro ulit ako sa Cignal para i-represent ulit sila.”
