Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

Bagunas reunites with Espejo for PMNVT’s SEA VLeague campaign


The Philippines, with seasoned aces Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo on board, is out to wage a stronger fight as it hosts the second leg of the inaugural Southeast Asia (SEA) Volleyball League on Friday at the City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.

Bagunas and Espejo, two of the country’s top spikers, will make their national team return in the V.League to form a lethal troika with rising star Steven Rotter, who earned the Best Opposite Spiker honors in the first leg held in Jakarta last week.

“They’re experienced players. They’re smart. They can share their experiences with others,” said national men’s team head coach Sergio Veloso as his wards brace for their SEA neighbors once again. “We can do a better job. I feel we can play better now.”

Completing the squad are Vince Mangulabnan, Joshua Umandal, Kim Malabunga, Rex Intal, Manuel Sumanguid, Chumason Njigha, Lloyd Josafat, Edward Camposano, Vince Lorenzo, Ryan Ka, and Adrian Villados.

The Philippines takes on Thailand at 7 p.m. for the main event after the opener between Vietnam and Indonesia at 4 p.m. Up next for the hosts are Indonesia and Vietnam on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

More than the games, the Philippines is putting a premium on another international tournament after successfully hosting the Men’s Volleyball Nations League Men’s Week 3 earlier this month at the Mall of Asia Arena for the second straight year.

“Men’s volleyball is becoming popular, and we’re very happy to have our close neighbors with us here. We hope to expand next year with more countries,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara during the event presser Thursday at the Seda Nuvali.

#ReadMore  Spikers Turf: Malabunga takes charge as Imus-ITP avoids disaster vs Navy

“This tournament is very important for Southeast Asia as we, the Philippines along with Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia, are bidding to host the 2025 Volleyball Women’s World Championship,” he added.

The SEA VLeague—presented by PLDT and backed by the City of Santa Rosa, Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, One Sports, and Cignal—is a brainchild of Suzara and Thailand federation president Shanrit Wongprasert.

The Filipino spikers went winless in three games in Jakarta but not without a fight, especially in the last match where they held a 2-0 lead against Vietnam, only to run out of steam in a tough five-setter defeat.

Indonesia, led by MVP Fahry Septian Putratama, completed an unbeaten run to become the first leg champion, with Thailand and Vietnam completing the podium.

This time at home, the Philippines spikes for a breakthrough.

“It’s a competition, so our target is victory,” added Veloso.

The SEA VLeague women’s division will be held on August 4 to 6 in Vihn Phuc, Vietnam, and from August 11 to 13 in Chiangmai, Thailand.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

Cignal completed its redemption after taking down rival Criss Cross in straight sets, 25-19, 25-19, 26-24, to clinch its first Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference...

News

Criss Cross’ second-stringers got the start against Hyogo and did not disappoint, disposing of the Japanese guest team, 25-18, 25-17, 25-17 to complete the...

News

Cignal cruised past a young and inexperienced Kondohgumi Hyogo squad with a commanding 25-11, 25-8, 25-18 victory, in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference at...

News

Kim Malabunga made a much-anticipated return to the Spikers’ Turf on Sunday night, nearly two months after a freak accident sidelined him on the...

News

Criss Cross took sole possession of the lead in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference semifinals after a 25-20, 22-25, 25-12, 26-24 victory over...

FEU

Cignal extended its winning streak to nine games with a commanding 25-18, 25-20, 25-16 victory over FEU-DN Steel in the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational...

FEU

Criss Cross extended its dominant run, sweeping FEU-DN Steel in straight sets, 25-21, 25-21, 25-11, to open the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Semifinals round...

DLSU

Criss Cross will enter the semifinals riding a red-hot six-game winning streak, while also-rans La Salle-EcoOil and D’Navigators Iloilo closed their respective campaigns with...

Advertisement