Ateneo’s Marck Espejo (15) rises over a couple of National University blockers. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MARCK Espejo ended a successful adventure outside the UAAP with a pair of Most Valuable Player awards and a championship for Ateneo.
The 6-foot-1 power-hitter led the Blue Eagles’ comeback in the final set as they tamed the National University Bulldogs, 25-23, 25-21, 38-40, 25-19, and captured the Spikers’ Turf title yesterday at Filoil Flying V Arena.
The two-time UAAP men’s volleyball MVP had 24 hits punctuated by a smash at match point as the Eagles swept their rivals in the best-of-three championship series.
“All of these awards wouldn’t have been possible without the help of my coach and teammates. I owe it to them,” said the 19-year-old Espejo.
Rex Intal, Ateneo’s ace in Game 1, had 15 hits and Joshua Villanueva added 12 points, three blocks and one service ace for the Eagles, who won all their 13 games in the tournament.
“I guess 13 is a lucky number for us,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. “We expected NU’s energy. You cannot count them out because they have the height and the power.”
Espejo was named Finals MVP after winning the conference MVP just a week ago.
Lethargic in the first two sets, the Bulldogs, behind Bryan Bagunas, Madzlan Gampong, James Natividad and Francis Saura, pushed the Eagles to their limit with a volley of smashes and efficient reception to force the fourth and deciding set.