Alas Pilipinas threatened to pull off an upset but South Korea stayed composed and handed the Philippines a 16-25, 25-27, 22-25 loss in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games men’s volleyball competition opener on Sunday at the Park Arena Komaki.

Wingers Bryan Bagunas and Leo Ordiales and middle blocker Joshua Magalaman held their own on offense, but the error-stricken Filipinos shot themselves in the foot with 23 miscues.

The Philippines actually got its opponent’s back against the wall in the second and third sets but failed to hold on to the lead as the Koreans mounted frustrating comebacks to take the victory in Pool D in one hour and 34 minutes.

Bagunas led all scorers with 15 points on 13 attacks, one ace and a kill block while tallying four digs.

Magalaman scored 13 points on 10 kills and three kill blocks while Ordiales got 10 of his 11 points on attacks for Alas, which outblocked the Koreans, 10-6, and was able to keep pace in attacking, 44-45.

Setter Owa Retamar, who arrived in Nagoya just last Friday, dished out 33 excellent sets for Alas.

After a jittery opening frame, the Pinoy spikers played with better form in the second set and were in control before the tight endgame.

Alas shattered a 23-23 deadlock with a Bagunas kill for set point but the Koreans fired back to force a deuce. Alas retook the set point advantage but Bagunas committed a costly service error that knotted the set at 25.

Consecutive attack errors by Bagunas and Ordiales surrendered the set.

Alas again wasted an early three-point lead with its errors piling up. The Philippines trimmed a two-point deficit to 22-23 on an Ordiales ace only to throw away his second serve before Choi Junhyeok shut the door on Marck Espejo for the finisher.

Alas seeks to rebound when it battles last edition’s silver medalist China on Monday at 12 p.m. (Manila time).

Sungjin Lim had 13 points while Jeong Hanyeong and Dongheok Im added 11 markers each for Korea, which faces Chinese Taipei next.

Meanwhile, Bagunas bared the ordeal Alas has been going through in its Asiad campaign, from lacking financial support during the team’s training to players paying for their meals out of their own pockets.

“Regarding our allowance, some players have been borrowing money from other players or other people just to attend training and to return to their homes. It’s tough for us to train. Sometimes we’re training with only eight or seven because some can’t attend,” said Bagunas, who added that the players haven’t received allowances since July.

“Many can’t attend practice because they can’t afford travel fare. I understand them because most of the players are student-athletes. We’re just helping each other out just to train together,” he added. 


The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF), headed by new president Frank Lao, is still waiting for its reinstatement following suspensions from the FIVB, Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission since May.

Alas players were given Asiad allowances but most are used for their meals.

“It’s just sad that we represent the country but we can’t feel the support,” Bagunas said.