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CITY OF STA. ROSA, LAGUNA – The Philippines is returning to the Asian Games men's volleyball after 49 years.
Tasked to carry the fight are the core members of the team in the ongoing Southeast Asian Volleyball League (V.League).
Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, who returned to the team after skipping the Cambodia Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in May, and Filipino-American Steven Rotter are expected to lead the nationals with their impressive performances.
“I think the core players here will definitely go to the Asian Games,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara on the sidelines of his brainchild tournament at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex, in coordination with Thailand federation president Shanrit Wongprasert.
Bagunas finished with 25 points on 23 hits and two blocks, Espejo made 24 points, and Rotter contributed 14 points and three blocks when the Filipinos lost a five-setter to the Thais (24-26, 27-25, 25-21, 23-25, 15-17) on Saturday.
“I think we’re back in the level of men’s volleyball. We have new young players coming in and with the experience of Bagunas and Espejo, it will drive more encouragement enthusiasm to our national team,” Suzara said.
The Philippines will be in for a tough challenge at the Hangzhou Asiad, having been grouped with Volleyball Nations League bronze medalist and 16-time Asian Games champion Japan, SEA Games champion Indonesia and Afghanistan.
“I hope that this will continue. I know we have a lot of work to do in many aspects. But we will get there,” Suzara said.
The Philippines last played in the Tehran Asian Games (1974) and finished sixth. (PNA)
