Marck Espejo and Mar-Jana Phillips made history for the Philippines as the first two Filipino volleyball athletes have been drafted in the Korean League, as part of the Asian quota of the Korean Volleyball Federation.
Espejo, Phillips make history as first Filipino players in Korean League
Their draft selection filled Filipino hearts with pride and joy, as they break ground in one of the best leagues in the world
Published 06:52, 02 May 2023
Espejo, a Southeast Asian Games silver medallist, led his local club Cignal to a perfect sweep of the 2023 Spikers’ Turf Open Conference before flying to Jeju Island in Korea to participate in the Korean League tryouts and draft.
He was selected third overall draft pick by defending champions Incheon Korean Air Jumbos – his fourth overseas club after his stints for Oita Miyoshi and FC Tokyo in Japan, Visakha in Thailand and Bani Jamra in Bahrain.
The 191-centimetre-tall outside hitter stood out as the lone athlete from Southeast Asia, as the other six draft picks came from the East Asian region.
Meanwhile, Phillips was selected by Gwangju AI Peppers as the fifth overall pick in the women’s draft held on April 21.
It has always been my dream to play in the Korean league and now I have a chance to show what Filipinos can do. I promise to give it everything I got and make the Filipinos proud. Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat who have supported me through my journey. #fighting🫰🏾🌶️ pic.twitter.com/c1PsonO6va
— Mar-Jana Phillips (@mjphillips_13) April 21, 2023
Phillips was recently named to the Dream Team in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference, where she helped Petro Gazz to a runners-up finish in the competition.
