Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2016/sports2/04/24/espejo_042416.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Marck Espejo had 21 points in Ateneo&#x27;s Game 1 win. Arvin Lim, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/volleyball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></div></figcaption></figure></div><div>MANILA, Philippines – Marck Espejo, Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s high-leaping, powerful spiker, has often been credited with propelling the Blue Eagles to the top of the UAAP, having led the team to three consecutive Finals appearances and a championship – their first – in Season 77.</div>He will likely be named the Most Valuable Player for the third season in a row after towing Ateneo to a 13-1 record and another Finals appearance in Season 78.In Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals against National University (NU), he scored 21 points almost effortlessly, rising up for hits that went through, over, and off the NU blockers.(READ: <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2016/04/23/god-s-gift-espejo-delivers-ateneo-closer-title-2-10864">Espejo delivers Ateneo closer to title no. 2</a>)After Ateneo completed a 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, 25-18 win to move one step closer towards a second straight title, head coach Oliver Almadro sang praises of Espejo while at the same time stressing that he remains just one piece of the whole puzzle.&quot;Marck is God&#x27;s gift to Ateneo,&quot; Almadro said. &quot;Sinabi ko na &#x27;yan before.&quot;&quot;Pero I always reiterate to my players – individual accolades come when team success happens,&quot; he added.Almadro pointed out that if not for the superb setting of Ish Polvorosa – who entered the team at the same time as Espejo – then the &quot;Supreme Spiker&quot; would not be able to score as easily as he does.&quot;If not for his teammates na rumi-receive, hindi rin siya makakapalo,&quot; the coach added. &quot;If not for Rex (Intal), Josh (Villanueva) na buma-block sa kalaban namin, hindi rin kami magkakaroon ng transition.&quot;&quot;So it&#x27;s really a team effort,&quot; Almadro stressed. &quot;It just so happens na si Marck ang anchor namin pagdating sa offense. Malaking factor na meron kaming Marck Espejo, but we&#x27;re not counting out our other players.&quot;Even Espejo knows that as great as he is, he will not achieve success without his teammates, said Almadro.&quot;Pagdating namin sa practice, talagang si Marck, lagi niyang sinasabihan ang mga teammates n&#x27;ya na instrument lang din siya, pero (it&#x27;s a) team effort,&quot; he said.Espejo, for his part, said he is simply doing his job and is delighted to repay the trust that his coach has put in him.&quot;Proud din ako sa sarili ko na parang di ko s&#x27;ya na-fail,&quot; Espejo said.&quot;He really never fails me,&quot; Almadro quick replied. &quot;Ganoon din naman sila Ish… I commend Ysay (Marasigan) and Ish in this game. Si Marck, anchor namin si Marck, pero Ish and Ysay and Rex all played well today.&quot;Ateneo can wrap up the series with another win on Game 2, scheduled for Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Marck Espejo, Ateneo's high-leaping, powerful spiker, has often been credited with propelling the Blue Eagles to the top of the UAAP, having led the team to three consecutive Finals appearances and a championship – their first – in Season 77.

'God's gift' Espejo still just a cog in Ateneo machine, says coach

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'God's gift' Espejo still just a cog in Ateneo machine, says coach

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Apr 24, 2016 11:54 AM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

volleyball

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Marck Espejo

Oliver Almadro

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