By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alas Pilipinas finally barged into the win column at the expense of Indonesia, 25-23, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22, in the classification phase of the AVC Challenge Cup for Men in Isa Town, Bahrain on Wednesday night, June 5 (Manila time).
The Filipinos are now a win away from their best finish in the tournament as they were promoted to the battle for ninth place against either Pool B’s Thailand or Pool D’s bottom seed Chinese Taipei on June 7.
With a day of rest, Alas Pilipinas can recalibrate and prepare to bring home the best possible result for the men’s side.
Skipper Marck Espejo came through with a game-high 20 points off 17 attacks, two aces and one block, with Jade Disquitado and Kim Malabunga turning in 12 points each.
Nico Almendras had 10 markers to show for himself in the much-needed victory.
Following back-to-back losses in their preliminary campaign against China and host nation Bahrain, the Philippines refused to leave without giving itself a breakthrough in an AVC-sanctioned tournament like the women’s side did last week.
The Jorge de Brito-coached Alas women captured a historic bronze medal in the weeklong tournament behind the efforts of Jia De Guzman and Angel Canino, who were hailed as Best Setter and Best Outside Hitter, respectively, in the conquest.
Although way out of the podium, it still doesn’t take away the side by side history the women’s and men’s squads have achieved 63 years after joining the federation.
Locked at one-set apiece, the Filipinos were jolted back to their feet and pounced hard on the Indonesians to regain the lead the following set.
Though Indonesia showed some resistance in the fourth set, the Philippines covered the gap to snatch the victory.
