MANILA, Philippines – In his fourth season in the UAAP, Ateneo star Marck Espejo has very little left to prove.

He has won three MVP trophies and led the Blue Eagles to back-to-back men's volleyball titles, and so far in the Season 79 tournament, they are living up to the hype as favorites to win the championship once more with an immaculate 4-0 record after two weeks.

Through it all, Espejo has been his usual efficient self. He has scored a total of 65 points, and is converting a spectacular 61.70% of his attacks – by far the best mark in the league. He is ninth in the league in blocking (0.46 per set), and third in receiving (53.95% efficiency).

Perhaps the only subpar aspect of his game in Season 79 is his service; after winning Best Server honors last season, Espejo only has one ace through four matches.

Still, no one can deny that Espejo remains one of the very best – if not the best – in the UAAP men's volleyball scene. And he does all this while adjusting to a role that is relatively new to him – that of being a leader for the Blue Eagles.

"Every year naman, may nagbabago," Espejo said after casually torching Adamson for 22 points in a straight-sets victory on Saturday.

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"Pero this year, dahil nga isa na ako sa mga pinaka-senior sa team, isa na talaga ako sa mga leaders sa team," he added.

In seasons past, Espejo rarely had to deal with leadership responsibilities; that burden fell on the shoulders of Ysay Marasigan. With their longtime captain having graduated, however, Espejo – along with batch mate Ish Polvorosa and new skipper Karl Baysa – has found himself needing to be more and more vocal inside the court.

"Dati, parang naghihintay lang ako ng mga ibibigay sa aking mga gagawin," Espejo mused. "Ngayon, ako na 'yung kailangang mag-guide talaga at tumulong sa pagpapaalala."

There are also other changes. In his fourth season, Espejo has been receiving fewer touches, with Polvorosa having several options to choose from in terms of attackers. Espejo, of course, remains the No. 1 option, but Ateneo still has middle blockers Rex Intal and Josh Villanueva, and the 6-foot-8 Tony Koyfman.

Having fewer touches is no problem for Espejo, who recognizes his value as a decoy for his other teammates anyway.

"Alam na din namin na babantayan talaga ako ng mga kalaban, so sabi ni coach, kailangan umikot 'yung bola at lahat, ready pumalo," he said.

"Maganda din, kasi nakikita ko na may improvement sa mga teammates ko," he added. "Nandoon pa rin 'yung kagustuhan kong maka-score, pero gratifying pa din kasi nakikita kong nagsa-succeed 'yung teammates ko."

So far in the tournament, everything is working out according to plan for the Blue Eagles. They have dropped only one set (to National University), and cruised past challenges from Far Eastern University and Adamson.

Espejo is hopeful that this run of excellence will continue, even as he is still adjusting to the new responsibilities expected of him.

"Sabi ni coach, focus lang kami sa goal namin this year na maka-three peat," said Espejo.

"Saka kami din ng mga teammates ko, ang approach lang is one day at a time, focus lang sa training, and kailangan, mag-bond talaga kami as a team," he added.

Espejo and the Blue Eagles return to action on Wednesday against University of the East.

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