Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo set for comeback as Alas Pilipinas enters World stage

Two of the country’s top spikers, Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, are back in national team colors after recovering from injuries, ready to lead Alas Pilipinas in its historic FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship debut this September on home soil.

The reunion of the longtime teammates comes after a two-year gap, with both stars expressing excitement at finally playing together again.

“Actually after ilang years po, ngayon lang ulit magkasama kami ni Bryan [Bagunas] sa loob ng court. Masaya po ako. Na-miss ko po yung aura niya sa loob ng court. Excited ako ulit makalaro si Bryan sa loob ng court,” Espejo said.

For Bagunas, the return is equally special as he works his way back from a knee injury that sidelined him last year.

“Sobrang saya na nakabalik na ako sa loob ng court. Ayun, siyempre hindi ko pa masasabi na 100% yung condition ko. But yun nga tina-try ko naman humabol sa team,” Bagunas shared.

“Alam naman natin yung team sobrang taas na yung level ngayon, talagang pataas na nang pataas. Kaya tina-try ko makahabol sa kanila,” he added.

The two last teamed up for the national squad during the 2023 SEA V.League. Bagunas later suffered a left knee injury in the 2024 edition of the tournament, while Espejo dealt with an ankle issue sustained at the AVC Nations Cup earlier this year.

“Pagkabalik ko po medyo nahirapan kasi mga one month din ako hindi nag-training. Pero ngayon naka-catch up na ako sa team. Personally, meron pa akong ilalabas,” Espejo explained, noting he is eager to get back into rhythm.

He added that the upcoming World Championship carries huge significance not only for the players but also for Philippine volleyball as a whole.

THE BAZOOKA AND THE PHENOM 🔥

Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas are locked in for the Alas Pilipinas Men’s training camp in Portugal as preparations continue for their FIVB Men’s World Volleyball Championship campaign in September.#AlasPilipinas #MWCH2025

📸 Alas Pilipinas pic.twitter.com/jwua14db3F

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) August 19, 2025

“Ito big tournament talaga. Lahat naman po kami talaga ready. Pero siyempre as a team, malayo pa. Malayo pa yung kailangan gawin. Pero malayo na rin ang inimprove ng team since nagsama-sama kami before training camp sa Europe,” Espejo said.

Bagunas also hopes their historic home appearance will inspire more Filipinos to support the men’s program.

“Siyempre ayan na, na-go-goosebumps ako. Sobrang overwhelming na tuluy-tuloy na ang suporta sa men’s [volleyball]. Sana magtuluy-tuloy ito, ito na yung simula,” he said.

“Kaming national team andito naman kami para mag-perform, para ipakita sa Pilipinas na kaya rin namin mag-perform sa World Championship,” Bagunas added.

With the Philippines ranked No. 82, the team embraces its underdog role but aims to show it can stand toe-to-toe with some of the best in the world.

“Kami naman ano ayun, mag-peperform lang kami. Ipapakita namin kung ano natutunan namin sa mga coaches natin. And papakita namin na may chance makapag-compete ang Philippine men’s volleyball sa world stage,” Bagunas said.

“Kumbaga ito yung start para mas makilala yung Philippine men’s volleyball,” he added.

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