REBISCO-Philippines played what could be its best game in the Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship on Monday night, giving Thailand’s Diamond Food the fits before dropping a 34-36, 26-25, 28-26, 19-25, 12-15 decision in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Playing their fourth match in as many days, the Filipinos played inspired volleyball, pushing last year’s Thailand League runners-up to the limit before ending their Pool B stint in fifth spot.
The defeat dropped the Filipinos to the battle for 9th and 10th places where they will face the last-placed team in Pool A.
Despite the setback, coach Dante Alinsunurin was satisfied with the performance of the team, whose participation in the championship is supported the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Asics.
Jao Umandal, Rebisco’s leading scorer in the continental club competition, came through with 26 points; Mark Alfafara added 23 points, including a team-best three blocks, while skipper John Vic de Guzman had 16 points.
With the trio leading the attack, Rebisco had several five-point leads to start the match and was leading 19-15 when Diamond Food stormed back to tie the first set at 20-20.
It was a seesaw battle from there as the Thais snatched the protracted first set (36-34) which lasted for 46 minutes–with the Filipinos squandering several opportunities to close it out.
Rebisco was dragged to an extended second set, but this time around, things went to its favor.
Ysay Marasigan put the Filipinos at set point, 25-24, and Rebisco got a huge break on the next rally, winning a challenge as Diamond Food was called with a foot fault violation.
“This serves as a huge lesson for us all. We came here to compete and to learn, and exit the tournament with nothing but all the lessons we can gain,” Umandal said.
