The Philippine men’s national volleyball team earned a berth in the Southeast Asian Games semifinals after scoring their second straight victory with a 25-20, 25-21, 25-12 win over Vietnam last Wednesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Bryan Bagunas led the Philippines with 22 points off 17 kills, three aces, and two kill blocks; while Marck Espejo dropped 11 kills off 22 attempts to finish with 13 markers; John Vic De Guzman, Kim Malabunga, and Francis Saura each scored seven points; and setter Joshua Retamar tallied 17 excellent sets, four points, along with three of the Philippines’ 11 kill blocks.
“Sobrang saya kasi alam ko ito ‘yung muling nakapasok ‘yung Pilipinas sa ‘Final Four’ kasi huli pa natin is 1991 (I am so happy because the last time the Philippines qualified for the ‘Final Four’ was in 1991),” said Philippines head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Sobrang tuwa na na-achieve namin ngayon na makapasok sa ‘Final Four’ (It is exciting that we achieved it now and made it into the ‘Final Four’).”
The Philippines closes out the group stage against Indonesia tonight./ASC, WDJ