JUST before Czech Republic clashed with Serbia, Taylor Swift’s popular song “Crazier” reverberated along the hallways—where the food stalls and restrooms are located—on the second floor of the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay last night.
A throng of teenagers was lining up at a hotdog stand and was heard talking with excitement—and for good reason—on a cold and damp Sunday.
“Sa Tuesday pa ang laban ng Alas so enjoy lang muna tayo manood tonight. Mas exciting iyon. Pero maganda ring manood tonight.”
Day 3 of the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship was in full swing with Argentina and Belgium notching contrasting wins over at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Egypt pulled the rug from under world No. 13 Iran at the Pasay-based venue.
But the spotlight should be on the Alas Pilipinas squad expected to showcase its grit and true worth for true-blue Filipino volleyball fans tomorrow, Tuesday, when it takes on the Egyptians at the MOA Arena.
A victory over the Pharaohs in Pool A action should soothe the pain of the Philippine spikers’ numbing 13-25, 17-25, 23-25 loss to Tunisia in the opening match of the 32-team tilt last Friday.
Egypt coach Marco Bonitta, who will try to outwit fellow Italian tactician Angiolino Frigoni, is not one to look past an Alas side led by skipper Bryan Bagunas.
“It will be a very, very difficult match because the Philippines was a little bit nervous in the first and second sets (against Tunisia), but they played very well starting the third set. I’m sure that the level of the Philippine team is what they will show us in the first set so it would be a very, very tough match,” Bonitta said after his charges trounced the Iranians 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20.
The likes of Egyptian aces Ahmed Shafik, Abdelrahman Elhossiny and Aly Seifeldin Hassan echoed their strategist’s thoughts.
“This is a very good experience to play in a court full of people. I hope to keep winning. The Philippines has very good players. Also, the coach, I know him. He’s a very good coach. He’s been on top for a long time,” Elhossiny said.
Added Hassan: “It will be tough for sure that we will play the Philippines. We will prepare very, very well because we’re here in the Philippines with their fans but we will deal with it.”
The Argentines battled back and nipped Finland 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-11, while Belgium overpowered Ukraine 25-16, 25-17, 25-22.
France dueled with Korea while defending champion Italy squared off with Algeria and Brazil and China collided at press time last night.
