MUSTAFA Hameed Tababbar of Iran is blocked by Seed Ibrahim Mohame of Qatar in yesterday’s Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship finals match. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Putting together a performance to remember, the Philippines’ PLDT Home TVolution Power Pinoys outlasted Lebanon’s Al-Zahraa Al Minaa, 25-19, 26-24, 13-25, 21-25, 15-13 , Wednesday for a historic seventh-place finish in the 2014 Asian Men’s Volleyball Championship ruled for the second straight year by Iran at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Finally showing the form that convinced volleyball officials to rebuild the forgotten men’s volleyball program, the Power Pinoys showed steely resolve in the face of Lebanon’s furious charge to come away with the pulsating victory that allowed the team to surpass its target in the prestigious 16-team tournament.
“We were targeting the Top 8, but we placed higher that’s why I’m really proud of the team,” said Power Pinoys coach Francis Vicente, who also acknowledged the solid support of fans to the home team throughout the tournament.
Later, Iran’s Matin Varamin came from behind to beat a star-studded Al-Rayyan of Qatar, 19-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-16, and retain the title won by another Iranian side Kalleh Mazandaran last year.
The victory gave Matin Varamin—a first time participant in the tournament—the right to represent Asia in the FIVB World Club Championship in Brazil next month.
China’s Baic Motor prevailed over Kazakhstan’s Kondensat, 25-17, 25-14, 25-20, to finish third, while Chinese Taipei, represented by Taipei City, wound up fifth after a 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 demolition of Iraq’s South Gas Sports Club.
Underscoring his status as the team’s most important player for years to come, Alnakran Abdilla dished out a 25-point performance, including the match-winning kill.