The Philippine men’s volleyball team celebrates a point against Thailand. INQUIRER PHOTO/AUGUST DELA CRUZ
MANILA, Philippines—It is said no one really wins silver medals. They just lose the gold.
Don’t tell that to the Philippine national men’s volleyball team, who deserve to celebrate the silver medal as some sort of a victory.
The Philippines lost to Indonesia in straight sets, 25-21, 27-25, 25-17, in the gold medal match in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games Tuesday at Philsports Arena.
The defeat stung, yes, but the team gained some sort of moral victory, making a point as to why the country should continue backing what could be the best men’s volleyball squad in history.
“I hope this continues for us and I think we didn’t have that much experience [as compared to Indonesia] because for me personally I only joined them during the Games and the training camp,” said outside hitter Bryan Bagunas in Filipino.
Bagunas has been living and playing in Japan as an import in the V.League with Oita Miyoshi since August and he was only able to join the national team when it travelled to the country in early November for a training camp.
“I hope the support continues because the men’s volleyball team will go further,” added Bagunas.
The Philippines’ runner-up finish in the 2019 Games was the first time it reached the podium since 2005 and was also its second silver medal after its second-place ranking after 1977.
Head coach Dante Alinsunurin said that Larong Volleyball ng Pilipinas Inc., chairman Peter Cayco told him that the Nationals’ training would still continue even after the SEA Games.
The national team program for the 2019 SEA Games was started in February 2019 and the main pool was formed in March.
“Sir Peter talked to me earlier and he told me our training will continue and that’s the only thing I want to happen because it’s important for us to be together because we’re just starting,” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.
“Of course if we want to elevate our game then we really have to train constantly. As early January next year we’ll start training,” said Alinsunurin.