The Philippines during a game against Bahrain in the AVC Challenge Cup in Taipei. AVC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s volleyball team bombed out of contention in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Men after getting swept by Bahrain, 20-25, 17-25, 23-25, in their Final 12 match on Wednesday in Taipei.
But the Filipino Spikers’ participation in the continental tilt helped them rise from No. 167 to FIVB world ranking No. 56 and ninth in Asia.
The men’s team, led by Korean League-bound Marck Espejo and Filipino-American Steve Rotter, put up a gallant stand in the third set against Bahrain.
Rex Intal gave the Philippines a 15-13 lead in the third through his quick attack but his service error allowed Bahrain to make a run, imposing its will at the net with four blocks to steal the upper hand, 20-16.
Abbas Alkhabbaz nailed a quick attack to maintain a four-point gap, 22-18, but his team committed four consecutive attack errors that allowed the Philippines to move within two, 23-21, before Mahmood Ahmed stopped the bleeding to reach set point.
Espejo saved a point followed by Ahmed’s attack error to trim it to a one-point deficit. But Ryan Ka’s attack went to the net, sending Bahrain to the quarterfinals.
The Philippines will play in the classification round for 5th to 11th places starting on Thursday.
Bahrain, a country where Espejo and Jau Umandal played for Bahni Jamra in separate seasons in 2021 and 2022, will face either Australia or Macau in the quarterfinals.
Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tats Suzara remained proud of the team after its latest achievement.
“This is one big, major achievement for our men’s indoor volleyball team,” he said. “This is by far the most significant accomplishment by our men’s team and the PNVF just under three years into its establishment as the national federation.”
The Nationals beat Macau, 25-21, 25-15, 25-14, to start their campaign last Sunday and completed the Pool D sweep behind Espejo’s 36-point explosion to tow Mongolia, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 23-25, 15-12, on Monday.