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UAAP volleyball: Marck Espejo eyes adjustments after poor Game 1 performance

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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/2018/sports/04/28/mens-finals-april-28-10.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Ateneo&#x27;s Marck Espejo (15) tries for an attack against NU&#x27;s Francis Saura (12) and Bryan Bagunas (1). Josh Albelda, ABS-CBN Sports</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – After carrying Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s offense for the past two matches, four-time reigning Most Valuable Player Marck Espejo finally faltered on Saturday.In Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 men&#x27;s volleyball Finals against National University, Espejo was limited to only 16 points – tied for his third-lowest output of the tournament.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/28/18/nu-shackles-espejo-takes-1-0-finals-lead-over-ateneo">NU shackles Espejo, takes 1-0 Finals lead over Ateneo</a></li></ul>More shocking was how inefficient he was: after converting 55.1% of his attempts against Far Eastern University in the Final 4, Espejo made only 16 of 44 attempts for a 36% rate – way below his usual levels. Moreover, he was unable to register a single block or ace against the Bulldogs.With Espejo shackled, the Bulldogs claimed a surprisingly straightforward 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the Blue Eagles to seize a 1-0 lead in the Finals series, and put Ateneo&#x27;s volleyball dynasty in peril.&quot;Siyempre, alam naman namin na paghahandaan nila ako,&quot; said Espejo after the game. &quot;And nasa akin din &#x27;yun siguro, kasi hindi ako nag-adjust kaya mababa &#x27;yung output.&quot;National U had the necessary personnel to limit Espejo, and the Bulldogs were determined not to let the Ateneo star beat them singlehandedly, as he did to the Tamaraws in the Final 4.Espejo was well defended all game long, with Madzlan Gampong in particular marking the Ateneo player in virtually every rally. When he rose for an attack, no less than two NU players were there to try and block him.&quot;Expected naman natin na ganoon talaga &#x27;yung pwedeng mangyari,&quot; said Espejo, who navigated FEU&#x27;s net defense in the Final 4 with little problem, but had issues against the bigger, taller Bulldogs.&quot;Kailangan lang talaga na i-double &#x27;yung effort, sa kung ano &#x27;yung ginagawa nila,&quot; he added.It will be crucial for Ateneo to be more aggressive in Game 2, says Espejo. In the series opener, they waited for the Bulldogs to make the first move, and played catch-up virtually all game long.&quot;Hindi lang namin na-execute ng maayos, saka naghintay kami sa kung ano &#x27;yung gagawin nila,&quot; he said. &quot;Yung mga ginagawa naming sa training, hindi namin nailabas.&quot;Espejo and the Blue Eagles have only a little over three days to figure out the adjustments that they need to make against a strong NU team – a squad that is now brimming with confidence after winning a Finals game for the first time since Season 76.&quot;Rest muna,&quot; said Ateneo coach Oliver Almadro. &quot;I guess kailangan namin ng rest, kasi after ng simula ng semifinals, tuloy-tuloy kami. Rest, and then prepare physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

After carrying Ateneo's offense for the past 2 matches, the 4-time reigning MVP faltered on Saturday.

After carrying Ateneo's offense for the past 2 matches, the 4-time reigning MVP faltered on Saturday.

UAAP volleyball: Marck Espejo eyes adjustments after poor Game 1 performance

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UAAP volleyball: Marck Espejo eyes adjustments after poor Game 1 performance

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 28, 2018 04:44 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

UAAP Season 80

UAAP volleyball

Ateneo Blue Eagles

Marck Espejo

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