Alas Pilipinas take it to China in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, but the nationals fall short in a tough three-set loss.
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00:00Captain Chiang Chiu-Wan. Tough first ball to work with.
00:04Espejo makes do with it. Oh, that's a lucky break for the Philippines.
00:10At sinulit naman ni Leo Urgiales.
00:13Good decision for Urgiales to
00:16play with the tempo of that attack. Went for that soft touch.
00:21Seeing that Wong was a bit late in going
00:26for that block.
00:32Sobrang importante nga. The floor defense would be crucial. That is
00:36a good attack. A kill coming from Leo Urgiales.
00:40A couple of points already in this match. Two points already for
00:44Urgiales. A great decision again to go down the line there.
00:49But great effort from Retamar to go for that.
00:52Here's Urgiales. Good to see him not shy away from the challenge of China.
00:57Good touch by the blockers ng Pilipinas.
01:02And that block goes out. Lalamang ang Alas Pilipinas. 6-5 against the Powerhouse
01:07Chinese squad. And you mentioned that was a good touch. And this is what they need.
01:12They want to slow down the offense of China to have an opportunity to convert.
01:17Their talents and veterans.
01:22They go back to Mark Espejo. He's trying to use
01:27the aggression of blocks. And that is a good hit from Espejo
01:32as he finds the line. He's been trying to go cross court a couple of times but
01:37switching angles, going down the line works for him this time. Just the right amount of
01:42speed that risks action. Retamar with signing.
01:47Signal AP Spikers. Local scene as Urgiales. How about this?
01:52Youngster pouring it on with three early points. But that point started
01:57with a really good pass coming from Ibanez. But the down the line angle has been working
02:02well for Alas Pilipinas going to Zone 1. And that double block.
02:07Zhang will set it up.
02:12That's not a great attack from China. This one is though.
02:17But it is picked up by Retamar. Urgiales off the block.
02:22Four points for the youngster. Urgiales has been on fire
02:27in this set. And you see that his teammates
02:32really has the trust on him. And he has been delivering majority of the points
02:37here. So far the leading scorer. Good serve.
02:42Free ball for the Filipinas. And that combination play works out.
02:47Chao Mandal gets the Philippines within one.
02:52Alas Pilipinas gaining momentum here.
02:57Urgiales powering through. Beating the blockers on that one.
03:02A bit too late.
03:07Middle activated. Malabunga scoring.
03:12This is why their passing is very important. Because they want their middles to be involved
03:17in attacking. Retamar getting a chance.
03:22Good reception.
03:27And it leads to a tremendous scoring opportunity for Chao Mandal once again.
03:32Chao Mandal again powering through.
03:37Two blockers in front of him. And you know Retamar.
03:42Good reception.
03:47Chao Mandal is heating up here. And trying to give the Philippines
03:52in this first set. Retamar and Chao Mandal showing some good connection
03:57in this set. Again only one blocker. This time a better execution.
04:02Good first ball. And it leads to another
04:07Urgiales kill.
04:12Urgiales has been a revelation so far in this set.
04:17He will get a lot of opportunities.
04:22Triple block for the Philippines.
04:27Read well by Alas Pilipinas.
04:32Three blockers with him on that one. Take a look at this.
04:37Retamar Malabunga and Espejo with the perfect timing.
04:42It's a matter of timing it perfectly.
04:47Good first ball from Ipanez. And that's the result.
04:52Espejo with a mighty kill.
04:57And again we have to mention how Retamar has been setting up.
05:02That's a good quick. Malabunga getting the first point for Alas.
05:07Ipanez as you mentioned has been spectacular in serve reception.
05:12Malabunga getting activated. Triple block.
05:17And that is a great idea. Made the mistake.
05:22Made the attacking error. And send it right back to him. And that is a quality of Retamar.
05:274-2 right now. Two point advantage.
05:32Another good hit. Courtesy of Jao Mandal.
05:37Another insistent attack. Again Josh Ibanez with a good first ball.
05:42Retamar just knowing what to do.
05:47Workable first ball there.
05:52How about Ordiales connecting with that one.
05:57You know China starting to recognize that they need to avoid Ibanez but
06:02Mandal with a stable first ball and Ordiales from the Jao Mandal.
06:07They go to the quick. But it was well read by the Chinese defense.
06:12Ordiales is a scoring machine.
06:17Ordiales really scoring important points here for
06:22Alas Filipinas. I mean China getting momentum.
06:27But Ordiales breaking the momentum through his scoring here.
06:32I mean going up against players that you watch and read about.
06:37Driving to yourself that you can attack and fight.
06:42And you know the scoring of Ordiales is
06:47really giving Alas Filipinas some confidence here.
06:52First ball.
06:57Back row attack is a monster.
07:02Mark Espeo from the back row.
07:07Take a look at him flying that one.
07:12Just too much power and too much speed in that attack.
07:17Retamar is doing a great job.
07:22Good hit.
07:27First ball.
07:32And that scores again.
07:37Retamar just knows that the blockers are waiting
07:42for the wings to attack. But the back row hits has been working
07:47for Alas Filipinas earlier. Mark Espeo this time Jao Mandal no blocker in that sequence.
07:52And that is
07:57Jay Disguitado seeing his first action and
08:02officially welcome to the 2024.
08:07Efficient with their scoring in this match.
08:12Espeo finds a way to outsmart the triple block.
08:17Simple play for Mark Espeo.
08:22Tried to play safe actually but very effective on that one.
08:27Again the soft touch with the off speed.
08:32He targeted the outside.
08:37The youngsters are doing well. The kids are definitely alright.
08:42They had a short preparation for this.
08:47And this is relatively a new team for us.
08:52It has been important.
08:57And Jao Mandal gets one through.
09:02And this is what has been working for Alas Filipinas.
09:07It's really given that China will really try to close down Alas Filipinas.
09:12But Alas Filipinas powering through.
09:17Another good first ball.
09:22Another quick will score for Alas Filipinas.
09:27Retamar has been trying to activate the middles in this set.
09:33Back row attack. Picked up.
09:38Retamar will send it across.
09:43One more chance for Alas Filipinas.
09:48And that will score for the youngster again.
09:53Mordiales really has been a spark plug here for Alas Filipinas.
09:58Great ball control. Great decision making.
10:03Faking that one. Going for a soft touch in the last second.
10:085-4. And that will score again.
10:13Another 1-2 for Retamar.
10:18Sneaky 1-2 play there for Retamar.
10:23Good save to set that ball.
10:28Three players in the floor defense could not get that pancake save.
10:33Good attack for the Philippines answering right back.
10:38And a synchronized offense there for Alas Filipinas.
10:43All spikers jumping at the same time that really confused the net defense of China.
10:48Chow Mandal.
10:53Another point.
10:58But a quick response from the team captain once again.
11:03When they are pushed, they go to their wings.
11:08Chang Chuan or Zhang Jingyan.
11:13Retamar is also having a spectacular game so far.
11:18This time activating Malabunga with a back quick.
11:23I mean there is no doubt that Joshua Retamar is at the top of his game, right?
11:28And what a time for our volleyball teams to have Retamar on one end.
11:33Short serve.
11:38A motion ace for Espejo.
11:43Purple block effective. China goes to the other side.
11:48Great dive.
11:53Mandal easily dug up.
11:58Another attack for China. Slowed down by the blockers of Alas.
12:03And this one is a kill for Chow Mandal.
12:08Retamar not giving up on Chow Mandal.
12:13Going to him again and again.
12:18Malabunga finally found a way to get that point.
12:23They have been maximizing that hole.
12:28Congratulations.
12:33Malabunga has been a steady hand at middle for the Philippines.
12:38That's right. Malabunga playing efficient volleyball here.
12:43We are at match point.
12:48That quick was well defended but it is kept alive.
12:53This Kitado finds the angle in this match up.
12:58But the team captain of China says enough is enough.
13:03Well fought but this is over. 25-22.
13:08Chow Mandal with Jiang Chuan delivering the game winner.
13:13But you can see the big smiles on the face of Alas.
13:18They knew they competed against a giant.
13:23They know that they did well in this game.
13:28They really tried to keep it close but they weren't able to power through the firepower of China.