Alas Pilipinas Men break through, escape youthful Indonesia to advance to battle for 9th

The Alas Pilipinas Men finally secured their breakthrough win after pulling off a hard-fought 25-23, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22 victory against a youthful Indonesia in their 2024 AVC Challenge Cup classification match on Wednesday in Manama, Bahrain. 

With the win, the Filipinos are through to the battle for ninth against either Thailand or Chinese Taipei. 

After dropping the second frame, the Sergio Veloso-helmed squad stepped on the gas in the third set and walked away with an 11-point lead that allowed them to take a commanding 2-1 set lead. 

They never looked back since then with setter Joshua Retamar denying Krisna Krisna on the opposite side for a sizable 18-13 cushion before a one-two attack from him made it a 21-16 gap. 

Jade Disquitado then sent them to the match point at 24-21 while a Nico Almendras kill from the left wing sealed the deal for the Philippines, who was coming off a winless campaign in the pool play. 

Skipper Marck Espejo showed the way after scattering 20 points anchored on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block while Disquitado and Kim Malabunga chipped in 12 markers apiece.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News