Alas Pilipinas men eliminated in AVC Challenge Cup

Alas Pilipinas men’s team during the AVC Challenge Cup against Bahrain. AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas bombed out of contention in the AVC Challenge Cup men’s division after falling to host Bahrain, 18-25, 23-25, 20-25, on early Tuesday morning (Manila time) in Isa Town.

Alas turned to its veterans Jau Umandal, Marck Espejo, and Kim Malabunga, who pushed last year’s Challenge Cup runner-up to its limits in the second set before ending up winless in Pool A.

After losing the opening frame to Bahrain, the veteran trio helped the Philippines go toe-to-toe in the second against the home team as Umandal tied the set at 21-all after a big block on Mohamed Abdulia before Hashem Ali Sayed brought his squad to set point.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men in must-win after loss to China in AVC Challenge Cup

Jade Disquitado, who provided the spark off the bench, saved a point to put the Filipino Spikers within one, 23-24, but Naser Anan drilled a cross-court kill to end the second set and give the Bahrainis a commanding 2-0 advantage.

Bahrain dominated the third frame as Hasan Haider, Abdulia, and Sayed put on the finishing touches to enter the Final Eight with idle China in Pool A before fighting for the group’s top seed on Wednesday (Manila time).

Umandal led Alas with nine points off a 7-of-15 attacking clip and two blocks. Malabunga and Espejo chipped in eight points each, while Disquitado finished with six points, coming off the bench in the second and third sets.

READ: Espejo, Umandal lead Alas Pilipinas in AVC Challenge Cup

Setter Owa Retamar ran the plays, while liberos Josh Ybañez and Vince Lorenzo took turns protecting the visiting squad’s floor.

Abdulia led the charge for Bahrain with 15 points off 12 attacks and three aces, while Mohamed Abdulla and Ali Khamis added 11 points each.

The Philippines is relegated to the classification stage for 9th to 12th places on Thursday facing the loser between Pool C’s Qatar and Indonesia, who dispute the last quarterfinal berth in their group.

Alas’ gallant stand in the opener was denied by China, 19-25, 22-25, 22-25.