Alas Pilipinas put up a valiant effort but it was not enough to overcome China, resulting in a loss in their 2024 AVC Challenge Cup opener.
A courageous Alas Pilipinas stand fell apart in the face of China, resulting in a straight-set loss, 19-25, 22-25, 22-25, to open their campaign in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, early Monday, June 3, in Isa Town, Bahrain.
The Philippines banked on a solid blend of youthful energy and veteran expertise to keep in step with the world no. 32 Chinese, but the Asian powerhouse proved more composed down the stretch of every set.
In the opening frame, the Filipinos leaned on the playmaking of Owa Retamar, who activated Marck Espejo, Jau Umandal, Leo Ordiales, and Kim Malabunga to figure in a seesaw battle with the stacked Chinese side.
However, a string of Alas errors, most of which coming from the service area, tipped the scales in favor of China, who seized a 24-19 lead. Ordiales then botched his attack attempt to drop the opening salvo.
China once again dictated the tempo in the second frame, but the Philippines trailed close behind, 15-16. Errors once disrupted the Filipinos from gaining the lead though, as the Chinese took a 24-21 edge courtesy of a Jiang Chuan kill.
Alas managed to save a set point, but Wang Dongchen nailed a differential hit that pushed China to a 2-0 buffer.
It was the same narrative in the third set.
The Filipinos showcased the firepower to keep things close with the Chinese, as Umandal pummeled an off-the-block hit to trail by a point, 16-17. However, the Philippines committed a costly net violation, swinging the momentum to China, which built a 21-19 advantage.
In the ensuing sequence, Zhang Jingyin hammered down a cross-court hit that went off the forearm of Vince Lorenzo, who accidentally collided with the left shin of Umandal. Umandal was taken off the court.
Zhai Dejun, several sequences later, gave China match point, 24-21 before Jade Disquitado provided the Philippines a lease on life.
However, Chuan, the Chinese captain, delivered the finishing blow with a cross-court hammer.
Jingyin spearheaded China with 15 points on 14 attacks and a block, while Chuan supplemented 13 markers.
On the other hand, Umandal and Ordiales paced the Philippines with 10 points apiece, all of which coming from attacks, while Espejo and Malabunga scored eight and five, respectively.
Alas Pilipinas will aim to bounce back and carve out a breakthrough moment when they take on host country Bahrain tomorrow, June 4, at 12:00 a.m.