NAYSAYERS and unbelievers said that Alas Pilipinas cannot lure a big audience— but a wild and roaring pro-Filipino crowd showed up and proved them wrong last night.
The Nationals came tantalizingly close to pulling off another historic win but it was simply not meant to be as they absorbed a gut-wrenching 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22 loss to Iran in their knockout match at the close of Pool A play in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The venue erupted in ecstasy after it initially looked that Alas had scored a gripping triumph.
But Iran called for a net touch challenge on the kill block point of the Philippines’ middle blocker Kim Malabunga—and was ruled successful by the officials—with the fifth set tally knotted at 19-all.
That proved to be anticlimactic as the world No. 16 Iranians pounced on Alas’ pain en route to the win and a berth in the Round of 16 against Serbia.
The final phase of the prestigious 32-team extravaganza comes off the wraps tomorrow at the same Pasay-based arena.
“We are very happy and I think we showed all Filipino fans that men’s volleyball here in the Philippines has a future,” Alas skipper Bryan Bagunas said.
“We are very thankful for their support and I think this is the start, the beginning of men’s volleyball in the Philippines,” he added.
Veteran outside spiker Marck Espejo shared the same sentiments.
“Sobrang overwhelming po talaga. Maraming salamat sa iyong lahat. Na-appreciate namin ang pag-cheer ninyo and hindi namin inaasahan ang suporta ninyo,” Espejo, fighting back tears during the on-court interview, said.
“Hindi naman namin ini-expect na aabot kami dito. Hindi pa tapos ang journey namin and hindi pa ito ang time namin pero we gained experience.”
The 5-foot-10 Bagunas shone anew for the charges of Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni with 21 points spread on 17 attacks, three blocks, and one service ace while opposite hitter Leo Ordiales backed him up with 21 markers.
Espejo and Malabunga also had 15 and 10 hits, respectively, for Alas which came off a stunning 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21 decision over Egypt last Tuesday for the country’s first-ever triumph in the worlds—on its maiden stint. – With Abby Toralba
