Top spiker Espejo joins Rebisco

Decorated spiker Marck Espejo has parted ways with Cignal after a five-year stint as he gears up to open a new chapter in his illustrious career with expansion team Rebisco for the coming 2024 Spikers' Turf.

The veteran winger announced his decision to leave the club he helped win three titles in an Instagram post on Sunday.

"More than 5 years with this AWESOME team. I'm so grateful for all the love and support. Thank you Cignal HD Spikers and Awesome nation for being part of my journey. Still your kapatid outside the court! Mahal ko kayo," Espejo, who is currently playing for Incheon Korean Air Jumbos in South Korea, wrote.

Multiple sources told DAILY TRIBUNE that Rebisco will be fielding a men's squad following its success in the Premier Volleyball League with Espejo leading the way.

Sources also bared that aside from Espejo, other former Ateneo de Manila University players will be joining the five-time conference Most Valuable Player.

Expected to follow Espejo in the exodus to Rebisco are his HD Spikers teammates Chumason Njigha, Ysay Marasigan and Manuel Sumanguid. Njigha left Cignal last week.

The 26-year-old Espejo starred in the HD Spikers' sweep of the 2023 Open Conference where he also won Finals MVP before taking his act to South Korea.

Cignal played without Espejo in the season-ending Invitational Conference where the HD Spikers finished runner-up to Sta. Elena-National University after a sorry final loss despite an undefeated run heading into the gold medal match.

Espejo is one of the most sought-after open spikers in the country with his versatility, power, passion and leadership.

He led Ateneo to three University Athletic Association of the Philippines titles and was named MVP five times. He was part of the national team that won silver in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and had stints in the Japan V.League with Oita Miyoshi Weisse Adler and FC Tokyo, in the Thai League with Visakha and with Bani Jamra in Bahrain.

Rebisco is expanding its empire in volleyball after finding success in women's play with powerhouse Creamline and Choco Mucho.