FILE–Alas Pilipinas during a game in the SEA V-League. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas earned its first win in the SEA V.League Leg 2 after asserting its mastery of Cambodia, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 25-18, on Friday in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The Philippines continued to turn to the first leg Best Opposite Spiker Leo Ordiales, while Jade Disquitado also stepped up after Buds Buddin suffered a left leg injury off a bad fall in the second set.
READ: Alas Pilipinas looks to regroup fast after missing out on podium
Behind Owa Retamar, Alas Pilipinas still took a two-set lead, only to miss the chance to sweep the game in the third as the Cambodians forced a fourth set.
But the Filipinos made sure to finish the Cambodians off this time, breaking a 15-all tie in the fourth with Peng Taguibolos capping their run with an ace for the 23-17 spread.
Kim Malabunga sent the Philippines to match point with a quick attack before nailing the game-winning block for as Alas Pilipinas booked its first win in the second leg.
READ: Alas Pilipinas passes Vietnam test with next man up mantra
The Filipino Spikers improved to a 1-1 record, bouncing back from a 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 8-25 loss to first-leg runner-up and SEA Games champion Indonesia on Wednesday.
The men’s national volleyball team looks to reach the V-League podium after settling for fourth place in the first leg in Candon, Ilocos Sur, where it finished with a 2-2 record with wins over Cambodia and Vietnam.
Alas battles first leg champion Thailand on Saturday at 5 p.m.
The tournament is part of Alas Pilipinas’ build up for the Philippines’ historic hosting and participation in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship Manila in September.
The nationals fell short of a comeback from an 8-16 deficit in the third after Ordiales and Louie Ramirez, who replaced Buddin, cut it down to one, 22-23. But Mom Kuon sent Cambodia to set point, and Ramirez’s crucial service error dragged the game into a fourth frame.
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Cambodia, which got the promotion to the SEA V.League this year, remained winless in three games this second leg, bombing out of the podium race.
