Marck Espejo holds Alas Pilipinas jersey auction to support late teammate Ike Barilea’s family

The Philippine volleyball community is mourning the loss of one of its most promising young talents. Ike Andrew Barilea, a rising middle blocker and member of the Alas Pilipinas Men’s training pool, passed away just two days after celebrating his 21st birthday.

The heartbreaking news was confirmed by the national team’s official social media page on Tuesday afternoon, sending shockwaves throughout the local volleyball scene.

In an effort to ease the financial burdens on Barilea’s family, Alas Pilipinas superstar Marck Espejo put one of his old Alas Pilipinas-Cignal jerseys up for auction. Espejo announced the initiative on Facebook, setting a starting bid of P5,000 with increments of P500.

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“I would like to extend my help to Ike and his family by auctioning this jersey. For those who also wish to offer support, I would deeply and sincerely appreciate it. All proceeds will go directly to Ike’s family. I hope you can support this initiative as we come together to help Ike and his loved ones during this difficult time,” Espejo wrote.

‘SOBRANG CLOSE NAMIN.’ #AlasPilipinas mainstays Louie Ramirez and Marck Espejo talk about the lasting impact that Ike left as a young dreamer and “bunso” of the national team. https://t.co/YRQtwydgBN pic.twitter.com/2wXGYO0pgM

— The Game Magazine (@thegamemagph) November 12, 2025

He added a heartfelt tribute: “Thank you, Ike, for the short but meaningful time we got to spend with you. We will never forget you. The volleyball community will truly miss you. Fly high, Ike.”

Espejo and Barilea first crossed paths when the latter was called up to the Alas Pilipinas training pool for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship. The 28-year-old star recalled finding “a friend and a teammate” in the young middle blocker.

“When we were in Japan, I still remember the nights we spent in my room playing ‘pusoy,’ the late-night walks after training, buying coffee at Starbucks, and eating ramen during our day off. I also remember how we made you try a high ball for the first time. I really thought we would become teammates again in Criss Cross because you even asked if there were tryouts for the team. I didn’t know that would be your last message for me,” Espejo shared.

In addition to auctioning his jersey, Espejo also opened a donation portal for those who wish to provide additional support to Barilea’s family.

Barilea was known for his infectious energy and boundless enthusiasm, representing the best of the new generation of Filipino volleyball players—talented, driven, and deeply passionate about the sport.

A native of Negros Occidental, Barilea’s rise through the sport was swift and remarkable. From competing in provincial circuits to earning a call-up to the national training pool, he quickly became a player to watch for his athleticism and charisma on and off the court. Though his life was tragically short, Barilea’s legacy of heart, humor, and hard work will continue to inspire Philippine volleyball for years to come.

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