A pick that inevitably raises questions.
Korean Air coach Tommy Tillikainen nominated Mark Espeho (26), a 191cm outside hitter from the Philippines, in the final draft of the 2023 KOVO Men’s Asian Quarter Tryout held at the Jeju Sun Hotel on the 27th.
Libero Ryohei Iga, which Korean Air originally thought was the number one priority, was embraced by KEPCO. For player selection, to establish fairness between clubs, each team can select one player with an equal 1/7 probability, and Korean Air came in third. Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, who held the first nomination right, took Mongolian outside heater Eddy, and KEPCO, who was thinking of Lee Ga, held the second nomination right, and bowed their heads in a ‘battle for Lee’.
Third place pick, which wasn’t bad. Eddy and Iga, who had been eyeing them, were taken away, but Mongolia’s Bayarsaihan (197cm·OH) and tallest Chai Peichang (203cm·MB), who can play in various positions, remained. However, director Tommy called Espejo. 메이저놀이터
Espeho has experienced various overseas stages such as Japan, Thailand, and Bahrain. He worked for Japan’s Vice Adler in the 2018-2019 season and for Thailand’s Visakha in the following season. From 2021, he has been in and out of several leagues, including wearing the FC Tokyo uniform in Japan. In particular, he was in the same league with coach Tommy when he was in Japan. “He’s been in the same league as Espejo, so he knows his skill level and his personality,” Tommy said.
Espeho also recalled that time, saying, “When I was in Japan, director Tommy was at Wolf Dogs Nagoya.”
Among the players participating in the Asian Quarter, he was a player who caught the eye with a stable receive. Director Tommy also said, “Overall, he has great skills. He can help the team in a variety of ways. He will also bring a positive attitude and impact to the team.”