MANILA – Alas Pilipinas national men’s volleyball team pulled off a massive 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 upset on Thailand in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Marck Espejo spearheaded the offense with 31 points, built on 24 attacks, six service aces, and a block, as the Philippine squad swept all of their three matches in the tournament.
“Masaya na naipanalo namin itong game na ito, but it does not mean na ito na ‘yung magiging performance namin in the next games. May promise talaga itong team na ito,” Espejo said after the game.
“Nakaka-proud itong team na ito, na kahit sinong players ang hugutin ni coach ay magpe-perform. Mahirap itong journey na ito ngunit pagtatrabahuhin namin para maging maganda ‘yung resulta ng next games namin,” he added.
Louie Ramirez added 15 markers, coming from 13 attacks and two blocks, while Steven Rotter contributed 14 markers for Alas Pilipinas Men, who defeated Thailand for the first time since the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Alas Pilipinas Men overcame a 1-3 deficit to start the fifth set as National University Bulldogs stars Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales came alive to put the Philippines ahead with a 3-0 blast.
With momentum on their side, Ordiales and Espejo combined to push Alas ahead to a crucial 7-4 lead. But Amornthep Konhan kept Thailand afloat, eventually retaking the lead at 10-9.
Tied at 10-all, Espejo delivered two crucial serves, one of which came as a service ace, to give the Philippines a huge two-point cushion. Buddin then contributed consecutive attacks to reach match point.
The Thais managed to save one match point, but Espejo put on the finishing touch with an emphatic backrow attack to seal the stunning victory for Alas Pilipinas Men.
Amornthep top-scored for Thailand with 25 points, Chaiwat Thungkham added 16 markers, while Kissada Nilsawai contributed 12 markers in the defeat./PN
