Alas Pilipinas faces tough Egypt in men’s volleyball world championship
Games on Tuesday
(MOA Arena)
10 a.m. – Brazil vs Czech Republic
1:30 p.m. – Iran vs Tunisia
5:30 p.m. – Philippines vs Egypt
9 p.m. – Serbia vs China
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
10:30 a.m. – Argentina vs Korea
2 p.m. – Ukraine vs Algeria
6 p.m. – France vs Finland
9:30 p.m. – Italy vs Belgium
ALAS Pilipinas knew it would need to climb a mountain to snatch that breakthrough victory in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.
And that is why the Filipinos would do everything they can to accomplish what had never been done in the history of Philippine volleyball as they try to tear down the pyramid-like aura of fancied Egypt on Tuesday at the MOA Arena.
“We’re starting to play our volleyball,” said Alas coach Angiolino Frigoni.
The Italian bench tactician saw marked improvement in the third set of their 25-13, 25-17, 25-23 defeat at the hands of the Tunisians in last Friday’s inaugurals at the Pasay venue.
He has strong hopes that the resurgence would be carried through by Alas in its 5:30 p.m. showdown with Egypt, which is a world apart the host country with a current FIVB ranking of No. 21 as against the former’s No. 89.
But pulling off a miracle would be easier said than done as the six-time African champions are riding the crest of their shock 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 upset of the Iranians, the World No. 15, Sunday.
But maybe, the Filipinos can summon the same, if not the better, version of the Bryan Bagunas that showed up in that historic world championship debut by this volleyball-mad nation.
In that magical moment, the power-spiking Bagunas, who has honed his skill playing in Japan, gave a majestic glimpse of his talent and dropped a masterful 23-point performance.
“We hope to play the way we did in that third set when we play Egypt,” said the Alas captain.
The Egyptians knew they’re in for a tough ride.
“The Philippines have good players,” said Egypt spiker Abdelrahman Elhossiny.
For Seifelding Hassan Aly, another Egyptian stalwart, the local fans will play a crucial role for the Philippines.
“It will be tough for sure because we’re here in the Philippines and they have their fans so it will be so difficult,” he said. “But we will deal with it.”
In Monday’s matches, Cuba dumped Colombia, 25-22, 25-21, 25-20, in Pool D at MOA and Turkey trounced Libya, 25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 25-16, in Pool G at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
It was the first win for the Cubans while the Turks stayed unscathed with six points. — Joey Villar
