Iraqis outgun Power Pinoys

ALNAKRAN Abdilla of PLDT Home TVolution-Philippines leans to his left for a spike off Gani Hussein Mustafa of Iraq’s South Gas. RODEL ROTONI

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines put up a valiant stand, but had no answer to Iraq’s power game as it dropped a 20-25, 19-25, 18-25 decision Thursday in the Asian Men’s Volleyball Club Championship at Mall of Asia Arena.

Struggling with their blocking and reception, the PLDT Home TVolution Power Pinoys took its first loss in just 73 minutes to South Gas Sports Club of Iraq.

Still, the 1-1 record in Pool A could be enough for the hosts to reach the next round for the first time in the 16-team tournament.

“It’s a tough loss, but the players fought their hearts out in this match, which is also important for us because we want a team that fights up until the end,” said coach Francis Vicente.

A win by Iraq over Mongolia will formalize the Power Pinoys’ entry to the next round.

The Power Pinoys walloped Mongolia in straight sets last Tuesday.

Iraq, reinforced by tall European imports, quickly settled into the match, using quick combination plays and attacks from the back row that the Filipinos couldn’t figure out.

Metodi Amaniev, the Bulgarian open hitter, fired 15 points while Hungarian giant Arpad Baroti, scoring heavily from back-row spikes, finished with 12 hits.

Encouraged by a good turnout, the Power Pinoys climbed out from an early five-point deficit to tie the match at 20-all in the first set.

But the hosts lost momentum, giving up four of the next five points on unforced errors.

Later, defending champion Iran, represented by Matin Varamin, coasted to its second straight win in Pool B with a 25-17, 25-15, 25-16 triumph over Vietnam’s Duc Liong Gia Lai.

Other games: Al Zahra (LEB) d. Miyoshi Weisse Adler (JPN), 25-22, 28-30, 23-25, 25-23, 15-6; Al-Rayyan (QAT) d. Kondensat-Zhaikmunay (KAZ), 26-24, 25-22, 25-18; Migrasiya (TKM) d. Sohar (OMA), 23-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17.

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