BAHRAIN handed the Alas Pilipinas men’s volleyball team a 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 loss yesterday that sent the Pinoy spikers packing in Pool A of the AVC Challenge Cup for Men at the Isa Spot City Hall in Manama.
The Nationals failed to get past last year’s silver medalists that dropped them to 0-2 in the preliminaries.
Bahrain, along with China which earlier this week also trounced the Philippines, has gained a spot in the quarterfinals regardless of its preliminary square-off outcome.
Outside hitter Jau Umandal tried to lift Alas with a nine-point outing while skipper Marck Espejo and middle blocker Kim Malabunga tallied eight markers apiece.
Aside from its loaded spikes, Bahrain showed dominance in defending the net and services, accumulating a team total of 44 attacks, nine kill blocks and seven service aces.
That proved to be too much for the Philippines, which slipped four spots in the FIVB world rankings at 61st.
Alas will also be relegated to the classification round of 9-12th places.
The Philippines finished 10th in the Asian-level tourney last year.
Abdulia Mohamed topscored for Bahrain with 15 markers while Abdulla Mohamed and Khamis Ali fired 11 points each.
