Marck Espejo, Bryan Bagunas banner Team Philippines in SEA VLeague

Top spikers Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas will be in the frontline when the Philippines compete in the second leg of the inaugural men's Southeast Asian Volleyball League from July 28 to 30 in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Espejo and Bagunas were called up alongside veterans Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Vince Mangulabnan, and Manuel Sumanguid. Also part of the pool are Vince Lorenzo, Ryan Ka, Steven Rotter, Adrian Villados, Jau Umandal, Edward Camposano, Lloyd Josafat, and Chumason Njigha.

Both Espejo and Bagunas missed the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, where the Philippines claimed fifth spot. Espejo, though, returned to the national team in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup in Taiwan, helping the nationals finish at 10th spot.

At the SEA VLeague, the Philippines will tackle Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam in a single round robin format. The team with the most wins after all matches will be proclaimed the leg winner.

The Philippines will look to bounce back after a winless campaign in the first leg in Indonesia, which bagged the gold medal, while Thailand and Vietnam settled for silver and bronze, respectively.

They will first face Thailand on Friday at 7 p.m. before taking on Indonesia on Saturday and Vietnam on Sunday.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News