Marck Espejo and the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos Photo from Kovopr_official Instagram
MANILA, Philippines — Marck Espejo ended his first stint in South Korea a champion after the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos completed a “four-peat” in the 2023-24 Korea V-League season.
Espejo earned his first title as a pro as Incheon swept the Ansan OK Financial Group in the best-of-five championship series capped by a thrilling 27-25, 16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-13 win on Tuesday.
The Philippine men’s volleyball team star didn’t see action in the finals but relished his first title abroad after playing in Japan, Thailand, and Bahrain in the past years.
His teammate, Jung Ji-seok emerged as the MVP after leading the way in Game 1 with a 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 triumph and sweeping Game 2 with a 25-21, 25-21, 29-27 win.
Espejo was instrumental for the Air Jumbos in the elimination round with 111 points on a 53.25% attack rate in 23 games as his team clinched an outright finals berth with a 23-13 record.
It was Incheon’s fifth overall title in 10 finals appearances.
The former five-time UAAP MVP out of Ateneo joined his national team co-star Bryan Bagunas, who won his second straight championship with WinStreak in Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League last Sunday, as the Filipino players to win championships abroad.
Ced Domingo won a title with Nakhon Ratchasima in the Volleyball Thailand League, while Jaja Santiago won the Japan V.Cup with her former club Ageo Medics three years ago.
Espejo is expected to return to the country to play for his new Spikers’ Turf team Criss Cross and join the Philippine men’s volleyball team’s buildup for a busy 2025 calendar including the FIVB Men’s World Championship hosting.