THE Alas Pilipinas national men’s volleyball team replicated its bronze medal finish in 4th SEA V.League after surviving Vietnam 27-25, 14-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12 yesterday in the second leg at the Gor Uny Hall in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Michaelo Buddin, Jade Disquitado, Louie Ramirez, Peng Taguibolos, EJ Casana, and skipper Kim Malabunga shone for the Philippines which wrapped up its campaign with a 1-2 record.
The Angiolino Frigoni-mentored Nationals lost to Indonesia last Friday and to first Leg champion Thailand two days back, both in straight sets.
Turning the tables around after taking the fourth frame and extending the match to a decider, Alas Pilipinas shrugged off a slow start in the fifth set where it trailed 3-6 before Buddin powered the Filipino spikers to a 7-6 lead.
The Philippines went on a 5-0 run to make it 11-8, but the Vietnamese crew cut it to 11-12 courtesy of Phan Van Hiep.
Wing spiker Ramirez halted Vietnam’s rally with a cross court hit 13-11 as Disquitado put the Philippines to match point after an off the block hit.
After a service error from the Philippines aside, Disquitado finished the job with an attack catching another block touch from Vietnam 15-12.
Alas men won the bronze without erstwhile team captain Bryan Bagunas, who suffered an injury during the first Leg of the competition.
