Alas Pilipinas men beat Vietnam in SEA VLeague Manila opener

Alas Pilipinas against Vietnam in the SEA VLeague for men’s Leg 1 in Manila. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas men’s team put on a show to usher in a new era, outlasting Vietnam, 25-21, 25-22, 18-25, 25-23, in front of a good home crowd in the SEA VLeague first leg on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

With Vietnam threatening to give the Philippines another five-set heartbreak like it did in the past two legs last year, new heroes rose to the occasion for Alas Pilipinas in Buds Buddin and Louie Ramirez.

“I am very happy. It’s my first match with this national team and we played pretty good. We had a moment in the third set when we were not so stable, not in attack, not in receive, but we played as a team and that is important. (We had) a lot of defense that is also pressing them (Vietnam) to defend more,” said Alas Italian coach Angiolino Frigoni after a triumphant debut.

“The work that we did in these two months, you can see in the match even if we didn’t play a lot before because we had only three friendly matches against the University of Taipei. Honestly, I didn’t expect the team to play so good today but I am very happy.”

SCHEDULE: Alas Pilipinas men’s at SEA VLeague first leg

With Bryan Bagunas struggling in the last two sets, Buddin and Ramirez, national team first-timers, made an impressive debut bringing the team a precarious 23-21 lead in the fourth.

Alas still turned to its old reliables as Kim Malabunga put his team at match point with a big block, 24-21, before Vietnam saved two match points.

Bryan Bagunas for the win! #SEAVLeague2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/7tmRfRci3q

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) August 16, 2024

Bagunas was fielded in to score the game-clinching attack to end a six-game winning drought in the regional tournament after losing all of their games in the inaugural staging last year — his last national stint before returning this year.

The national team captain still topscored with 19 points on 15 attacks, two blocks, and two aces.

“As team captain, I needed to contribute significantly to the team with every point. Coach Angelo trusts every player, and anyone who comes in really steps up,” said Bagunas, who was subbed out midway through the fourth set for Noel Kampton.

READ: Alas Pilipinas men hope to show early progress under new coach

“I think we just lost our serve, made a lot of errors, and couldn’t defend well. We’ve been training on blocking and defense, so we need to convert those into proper execution. We still need to improve those skills.”

After winning the first two sets, the Filipino Spikers lost steam in the third with their lapses —  mostly service errors — and allowed Ngoc Thuan Nguyen to drill three straight aces for a 23-15 spread en route to a match a fourth frame.

Buddin, a late call-up after Marck Espejo was ruled out and watched the game from the stands, stepped up with three of the last five points in the second set to help the Philippines a commanding two-set advantage. He also nailed the set-clinching ace in the opening frame to draw first blood.

Alas Pilipinas’ Bryan Bagunas rises for a hit in a game against Vietnam in the SEA VLeague for men’s first leg. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

READ: Alas Pilipinas men’s team still performs worthy of praise

The National University star debuted with 14 points on nine attacks, three blocks, and two aces.

Ramirez, the NCAA MVP out of the University of Perpetual Help, also shone brightly, conspiring with Bagunas and providing the crucial points in the endgame with Buddin as he finished with 11 points, all from kills.

Returning setter Owa Retamar paced the team with his brilliant plays and helped out middle blockers Malabunga and Peng Taguibolos to man the frontline. Malabunga had a game-high six blocks to finish with 10 points. Taguibolos added seven points, while UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez continued to thrive in his new role for Alas as its libero with a steady floor defense.

Alas tries to secure at least a silver medal when it battles defending champion Indonesia, which saw its unbeaten run snapped by Thailand, on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Pham Van Hiep and Duong Van Tien scored 15 apiece for Vietnam, while Thuan added 14 points.

Earlier, Thailand swept defending champion Indonesia, 25-21, 25-23, 25-20, with Chaiwat Thungkham leading the balanced attack with 13 points off nine attacks, three blocks, and an ace.

Kissada Nilsawai also stepped up for the Thais with 11 points highlighted by a game-high four blocks. Anut Promchan also scored 11 points, while Anurak Phanram added 10.

It was Indonesia’s first defeat in the league after sweeping the first two legs last year with a perfect 6-0 record.

Angga Anggara carried the Indonesians with 18 points, as VLeague MVPs Farhan Halim and Fahri Putratama were limited to a combined 11 points with the latter only playing in the last two sets.