Marck Espejo. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
It’s the first time that the Philippine Sports Writers Association acknowledged a male volleyball player, and the recipient of the Mr. Volleyball plum already sees big things for the future of men’s volleyball.
Ateneo’s Marck Espejo, who is a four-time MVP in the UAAP, was the PSA’s first Mr. Volleyball and he knows the award he just got would bring men’s volleyball further into the public consciousness.
“I think that men’s volleyball is now treated the same way as women’s volleyball and this award isn’t just for me this is for all the athletes and volleyball players,” said Espejo in Filipino Wednesday at Manila Hotel.
“I’m very happy to see that men’s volleyball is being recognized and even televised on TV. I hope in the future we also get more support when it comes to international competitions, because I believe the men’s side can also be competitive and win medals. ”
“There are now kids who idolize us, and in return we inspire them to play harder so they can go to the schools they want to. They will be encouraged to study harder because they also want to get to the universities where we are right now.”
Espejo, who is gunning for an unprecedented fifth MVP and fourth title for the Blue Eagles, added he started off as a young kid dreaming of just playing volleyball and study at a renowned institution through an athletic scholarship.
And now that he’s living that life, he wants the younger generation of aspiring volleyball players to follow on his footsteps and, maybe, win the same Mr. Volleyball award he got.
“I want to give them hope that nothing’s stopping them from achieving their dream,” said Espejo who first drew Ateneo’s attention when he was playing for NCR in the 2012 Palarong Pambansa.
“They should never think that economic hardship or dilapidated equipment are hindrances to their dreams. I also experience that, but I never stopped dreaming and now that I’m here I’m going to use this platform to give back.”