AVC Challenge Cup for Men 2023: Marck Espejo explodes for 36, helps PH escape Mongolia in five-set thriller
2023-Jul-11 11:42
2024-Jul-15 18:28
TRIUMPHANT FINISH. The Philippines defeated Mongolia in a thrilling five-setter match to remain spotless in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Men. PHOTO: Asian Volleyball Confederation/Facebook
Marck Espejo continued his phenomenal return for the Philippine men's national volleyball team (PMNVT).
Espejo exploded for game-high 36 points to help the nationals salvage a five-set victory against Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, to top Pool D of the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men at Taipei Gymnasium in Taiwan on Monday, July 10.
After skipping the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) standout led the scoring charge for the Philippines for the second straight match upon returning to the national squad.
Dropping nine markers against Macau to lead all Filipino scorers, Espejo shone anew by unloading 29 kills laced by five aces and two blocks for the nationals to overcome the Mongolian side.
The Philippines will next face Bahrain for a spot in the quarterfinals on July 12 after finishing the group play with an unblemished 2-0 win-loss record.
Espejo and company trailed by two late in the fifth set, 10-12, before unleashing a 5-0 run to close Set 5.
Ryan Ka, PMNVT's newest addition who plays for the University of California San Diego in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1, tied the decider at 12-all with a monster block before Espejo scored an off-the-block hit from a back-row attack to give the Philippines a 13-12 advantage.
Rex Intal, who skipped the Cambodia 2023 SEA Games like Espejo, put the nationals at match point before Mongolia committed a costly attack error, sending the SEA country marching to the Final 12 as Pool D winner.
SUPERB PERFORMANCE. Marck Espejo registered 29 of his 36 points from the attack line despite the persistent blocking posed by Mongolia against him. PHOTO: Asian Volleyball Confederation/Facebook
The Filipino spikers recovered from a first set defeat thanks to the offensive firepower provided by Espejo in the following frame.
Down 22-24 in the third set, the Philippines tied things up behind Espejo, who delivered back-to-back hits over the Mongolian net defense that persistently marked him.
Ka broke the deadlock before Espejo dealt the final blow, and the Philippines took a 2-1 set lead.
Unfortunately, the nationals failed to sustain momentum in the fourth set as Mongolia's endgame composure prevailed, which set the stage for a deciding fifth set.
Mongolia finished runner-up in Pool D with a 1-1 slate and will battle South Korea in the first stage of the knockout rounds.