STAR spiker Marck Espejo and the Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team are ready to show their real worth in the AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup which begins tonight in Bahrain.
The Angiolino Frigoni-mentored Nationals are set to showcase their much improved grit and skills in the one-week tournament to be played at the Isa Bin Rashed Hall.
Eleven countries are grouped in four pools, originally 12 but Kazakhstan withdrew, where the world No. 62 Philippines is bracketed with Pakistan and Chinese Taipei in Pool C.
After arriving in Bahrain last Sunday night, Espejo headlines the Alas line-up along with setter Owa Retamar, opposite hitter Steven Rotter, libero Josh Ybanez, middle blocker Kim Malabunga and outside hitter Louie Ramirez.
Josh Ybanez, JP Bugaoan, Lloyd Josafat, Jack Kalingking, Leo Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos and Jackson Reed complete the Filipino spikers who will carry the flag in the tourney.
Alas will begin its campaign tonight, clashing with Pakistan at 7 p.m. (Manila time) before it collides with Chinese Taipei tomorrow at the same time and venue.
The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout quarterfinals.
In last year’s edition od the joust formerly called the AVC Challenge Cup, the national team finished 10th in the 12-team field with Qatar winning the tourney.
Alas’ women’s counterpart recently bagged a historic silver medal in the Nations Cup over the weekend with hosts Vietnam completing a three-peat.
In the Nations Cup, the Pinoy spikers are hoping to continue their winning momentum from the Alas Invitationals last week where they swept the tourney, beating the Thailand national team, South Korean club Hyundai Capital Skywalkers and Indonesian pro league champion Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi.
The tournament is part of Alas’ preparation for the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship slated in September.
