Alas Pilipinas has a big chance at SEAG in Thailand

Games on Monday
(MOA Arena)
3:30 p.m. – Bulgaria vs Portugal
8 p.m. – USA vs Slovenia

ALAS Pilipinas’ odds-defying performance in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championships did not only show everyone that it could compete against the best on the planet if given a chance.

It also served as a warning signal to the Filipinos’ Southeast Asian Games rival that they’re coming.

“If we play like we did here (FIVB Worlds), I think we have a big chance in the SEA Games in Thailand. The team played at a high level and focused,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation President Tats Suzara.

The Filipinos literally shocked the world as they finished 19th overall out of 32 participants despite being the lowest ranked among the entrants at 81st in the FIVB pecking order.

If not for a painful net touch late in an epic five-set defeat to Iran, Alas could have even made the round-of-16 instead.

In the end, the host nation still wound up far beyond expectations with a 1-2 record in Pool A with the win coming at the expense of many-time African champion Egypt and having the distinction of ending up as the second-best finisher from Asia.

And there’s a certainty that the country’s Southeast Asian neighbors learned the news and starting to tremble in fear as Alas shoots for a historic gold in the biennial meet this December.

“I hope we realize that we have the potential in men’s volleyball,” said Mr. Suzara.

Both Alas aces Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, with continuous hard work, have high hopes they could excel in the SEA Games.

“We were told by our coaches to keep working hard and improving. We have to stay humble and consistent,” said Mr. Bagunas.

“You can see it in the result of our game that men’s volleyball has improved by leaps and bounds. Our hard work in the past year has been paying off,” said Mr. Espejo. — Joey Villar