Marck Espejo, Incheon cop Korean V. League title

After Bryan Bagunas, it was the turn of fellow Filipino import Marck Espejo to capture an overseas title.

Espejo, a former Ateneo standout and UAAP MVP, and the Incheon Korean Air Jumbos swept the Ansan OK to reign supreme in the 2023-2024 Korean V-League Men’s Championship on Tuesday night. 

Incheon has now won its fourth consecutive title as Espejo joined Bagunas in their international success after the latter helped Win Streak rule the 2024 Top Volleyball League last Sunday. 

Incheon asserted dominance against Ansan in their best-of-five finals showdown, pulling off a 22-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-18 victory in Game 1 last Friday before blanking them in Game 2 last Sunday, 25-21, 25-21, 29-27. 

Incheon then had to shrug off strong resistance from Ansan in Game 3, eking out a 27-25, 16-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-13, en route to their fourth straight crown. 

Espejo’s side earned an outright finals ticket after finishing the elimination round on top of the ladder with a 23-13 win-loss card while Ansan finished third. Ansan hurdled Cheonan in the semi-playoff before defeating second seed Seoul in the second round of the playoff. 

Espejo, who was drafted third overall by Incheon during the Asian Quota Draft in April 2023, achieved the feat ahead of his anticipated return to the Philippines to join his new club Criss Cross in the Spikers’ Turf. 

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News