A GALLANT effort a few of the world’s best players, the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team offered a peak of its talent in the recent Invitationals where it faced Japanese superstar Yuji Nishida and the Osaka Bluteon of the Japan SV.League over the weekend.
The Filipino spikers put on a valiant fight in front of the home crowd as they battled the Nishida-led Bluteon in back-to-back friendly matches at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
The Blueton eked out a 29-27, 25-23, 25-12 win over Alas men.
“This match is my first time with the Philippine national team. I don’t know (their) players or (their) level, I don’t know so we’ll give more focus to high level with our serve, block, defense, everything (else),” Nishida said.
“The Philippine national team’s not so many times, but sometimes good in (their) performance, every single attack (from) outside (and) middle blocker was very good, high-level (performance),” he added.
Alas coach Angiolino Frigoni was delighted with the nationals’ performance, giving positive remarks against the Bluteon in their first duel despite the outcome.
“The performance was very good for the first two sets. To play at this level, you need a lot of attention. The level of attention must always be very high,” Frigoni said. “We are not able to stay with it so long, with this attention. But I am pretty happy with what we did today, at least for us it is very important because we have to adjust the defense, the blocking, the side out. Against this level, it is very difficult. I am happy.”
The Alas Pilipinas Invitationals were part of the nationals’ build-up prior for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship next year that the country will host.
The draw of the World Championships will be held this Saturday, Sept. 14.
