Sports
PH national men’s volley team finishes bronze in Thailand Open
FILE: “Pilipinas, we have a Bronze to celebrate. This for our respective club teams, our families and to all the true Filipino Volleyball supporters.
The country’s representatives in the 2019 Thailand Open Sealect Tuna Championships finished with a third-place podium finish last Tuesday, July 9 after conquering a two-set deficit against the Saraburi Thai-Denmark team during their final match of the tournament at the V Sommai Gymnasium in Sisaket, Thailand.
The set scores ended 22-25, 27-29, 25-18, 25-18, and 26-24 with Rebisco-Philippines being led by both Marck Espejo and Brian Bagunas who contributed a combined 59 points. Especo totalled 25 points off 27 attacks, five blocks, and three aces, while Bagunas totalled 24 points off 21 kills.
Teammate Ranran Abdilla performed as well with 15 spikes and four blocks to contribute 19 points, while Kim Malabunga had six blocks into 12 points. Defensively, the Filipinos excelled with a 22-5 block advantage as Espejo was aided by Malabunga and Abdilla, who scored 12 and 19 points respectively.
For Saraburi, Pitak Ausoongnoen and Jetsadakorn Nusee contributed 23 points and 15 points to keep the game close.
The entire match lasted two hours and 23 minutes, with the final set being a thriller alone as it lasted 29 minutes. That set alone saw a 13-all deadlock until back and forth points found the Philippines securing a 26-24 victory.
Team Philippines considered the win a redemption, as they were unable to enter the semifinals after a defeat against Thai Army.
This is preparation for the national team as they will be participating in the Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines from November to December.
