FC Tokyo, which has participated in Japanese sports for decades, announced the development on Thursday, December 9, suspending its team activities until May 2022 due to financial difficulties that led to the decision to end their campaign in the V.League in Japan. 

“FC Tokyo Volleyball Team will suspend its activities as a team at the end of May 2022,” wrote the club in a statement. 

“After comprehensive consideration of changes in the business environment surrounding it, the possibility of medium- to long-term business growth, and response to commercialization and sophistication plans for the future of the V.League, we decided to suspend our activities,” the club propounded.

The 6-foot-3 wing spiker will have no choice to find another team if he wants to continue his journey playing in one of the top volleyball leagues in Asia.

Espejo is one of three Filipino imports playing in the league aside from Bryan Bagunas who is with Oita Miyoshi and Jaja Santiago who is seeing action for the Saitama Ageo Medics.

FC Tokyo, formerly known as Tokyo Gas, ventured into sports in 1934 in football then began volleyball operations in 1948.

The volleyball squad gained promotion in the V.Challenge League in 1998 and took part in the  V.Premier League in 2010 after winning the V.Challenge in 2009.

Its greatest feat was a runner-up finish in the Emperor Cup in 2011 while winning a crown in a minor event like the Domestic Sports Festival in 2011.

Currently, FC Tokyo currently holds a 4-10 record in eighth place out of the ten teams. 

The club also bared that it will also fold up its other activities.

“In addition, dissemination activities such as volleyball classes will also be suspended. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has given us a great deal of support,” the club added.