Bryan Bagunas. Photo from SEA V-League
MANILA, Philippines—Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo’s return to the Philippine national men’s volleyball team was spoiled by Thailand in the Southeast Asia (SEA) V-League in Santa Rosa, Laguna on Friday night.
Despite a tremendous outing by the duo, the Philippines still couldn’t squeak past the Thais, who survived in a 26-24, 25-27, 21-25, 25-23, 16-14 thriller.
The loss prevented the Philippines from notching its first win in the regional meet after a 0-3 campaign in the first leg in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Bagunas led the Philippines with 25 points while Espejo and Steven Rotter added 24 and 17 points, respectively.
Supakorn Jenthaisong was the main man for Thailand as he finished with a game-high 28 points while Jakkrit Thanomnoi supplied 22 points.
Earlier in the day, first leg winner Indonesia dispatched Vietnam in a 25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 25-23.
Dimas Saputra fueled the Indonesians with 22 markers for the win.
Vietnam only had one double-digit scorer with Thuan Nguyen Ngoc tallying 17.
Next up for the Philippines are the Indonesians on Saturday, 6 p.m., at City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna. Thailand and Vietnam square off in the first game at 4 p.m.