THE Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team wrapped up its campaign in the AVC Men’s Volleyball Nations Cup on a high after it salvaged 10th place at the expense of New Zealand 25-16, 23-25, 25-11, 25-22 in the classification phase last night at the Isa bin Rashid Hall in Manama, Bahrain.
After the Nationals went winless in the preliminaries and fell in the first-round of the classification, the Filipino spikers finally bagged a victory in the week-long tournament, thanks to the effort of opposite spiker Steven Rotter who dropped 20 points built on 17 attacks, two service aces and a block.
Outside spikers Louie Ramirez and skipper Marck Espejo also gave Alas men a big lift with 14 and 13 markers, respectively, in the four-set triumph.
The Angiolino Frigoni-mentored Alas retained its 10th place overall ranking in the continental meet.
The Philippines showcased its attacking mastery against the Kiwis with 58 total attacks over New Zealand’s 42.
Alas also took advantage of the Kiwis’ 31 unforced errors.
Seth Grant and Andrew Salmon led New Zealand with 13 and 12 points, respectively as it finished the competition dead-last.
Alas will now shift its focus on the comning first leg of the Southeast Asian V.League from July 9 to 13 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
In September, the national team will see action in the prestigious FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championships to be hosted by the country.
