Entering the game on a high thanks to their rousing 2-0 start, the Philippine Men’s National Volleyball team came crashing back down after a sweep from 2017 silver medalist Indonesia, 23-25, 30-32, 20-25, Friday at the PhilSports Arena.
Fighting for dear life, the Philippines was able to eke out an 8-6 advantage off a Bryan Bagunas kill early in the third set to distance themselves from the Indonesians.
Marck Espejo then kick-started a 6-2 blitz to give the Philippines a five-point advantage entering the second technical timeout.
However, a service error from Espejo paved the way for a 5-1 turnaround for Indonesia. That then cut the Nationals’ lead to one, 17-16.
Bagunas still tried to keep the Filipinos afloat. The Indonesians, however, upped their net defense, blocking Abdilla and Espejo in three consecutive plays to take a 21-19 lead.
I Putu Randu then delivered an ace, before Doni Haryono followed with a kill, stretching Indonesia’s advantage to four.
Randu committed a service error that gave the Philippines one last glimmer at hope. Rivan Nurmulki then quickly sealed the Nationals fate with another kill.
