Alas Pilipinas’ Noel Kampton in the SEA VLeague.–SAVA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Filling in the big shoes left by injured captain Bryan Bagunas was daunting for Noel Kampton.
But the La Salle star chose not to shy away from the challenge and step up for Alas Pilipinas, emerging as Alas Pilipinas’ leading scorer in a 26-28, 14-25, 16-25 loss to unbeaten champion Thailand in the SEA VLeague first leg Sunday evening at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“Sobrang pressured ako kasi alam mo yun, yung pinalitan kong pwesto kay kuya Bry and itong game naming to, win or lose, ilalaban namin para ka kuya Bry talaga kasi siya yung heart and soul namin,” said Kampton, who had 10 points on a 50 percent attack rate in his first start with Alas, conspiring with Buds Buddin and Leo Ordiales.
READ: Japan-bound Espejo out for Alas Pilipinas, Bagunas still uncertain
Noel Kampton offers their game to injured captain Bryan Bagunas. #SEAVLeague2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/30185Eyl4Q
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) August 18, 2024
“Na-enjoy ko naman yung pagka start ko kasi yun nga tagal kong hinintay tong opportunity na ito. Feeling ko nagperform ako ng maayos pero hindi pa yung 100 percent,” he added.
Alas may have lost back-to-back games including a four-set defeat to Indonesia, where Bagunas injured his knee in the end game, but the home squad still ended up with a bronze medal for its first podium finish in the VLeague after a winless stint last year.
Kampton and the Filipino Spikers offered their achievement to Bagunas, who brought the program to greater heights.
“Masakit para sa amin, as in, hindi kami nakatulog ng maayos kasi alam mo yun, siya talaga yung kapitan namin, tapos siya yung idol naming lahat tapos ganun mangyayari. Kaya nagusap-usap talaga kami na para kay kuya Bry tong game namin,” he said.
READ: Buddin, a last-minute call-up, shines for Alas Pilipinas
Kampton is ready to continue stepping up for Alas as Marck Espejo remains out in the second leg in Indonesia from August 23 to 25 and Bagunas’ availability is still uncertain.
“Coming from a new system, new coach, coach Angelo [Frigoni], ito pa lang yung high-level na coach, yung Olympian na coach, sobrang ganda, sabi niya nga hindi pa kami high level, give us one more year or two years, basta yung process, aayos laro namin,” Kampton said.
“Itong leg na ito, tapos na, wala na yung nanalo kami sa Vietnam, wala na yun pagdating doon. Magready kami, ita-try naming manalo, wala naman masamang pangrap eh, try lang ng try.”