Rebisco received a rough welcome from Sirjan Foulad of Iran, 15-25, 22-25, 5-25, to open its 2021 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship campaign, Friday at Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Balanced was the attack of Sirjan Foulad, getting contributions from across the taraflex, led by Ramin Khani and Mohammad Sadeghi with nine points apiece.
Motjaba Gholizad and Aleksandar Blagojevic added six each. Meanwhile, Armin Tashakori, Alireza Behbodi, Sahand Allah Verdian got four points apiece.
On the other hand, Rebisco was led by Jao Umandal and Mark Alfafara with seven points apiece. Newcomer Nico Almendras came through with six.
The glaring statline from the Philippine side was its errors, giving up 27 easy points to the opposition.
The reigning Iranian Volleyball Super League champions flexed their muscles come the third set, racing to a 9-0 start. They then never slowed down, 25-5.
Down 15-20 in the second period, the Philippines clawed back to within one via a 7-3 rally, capped by back-to-back hits from Jao Umandal, 22-23.
However, errors from Mark Alfafara and Umandal gave the Sirjan Foulad the frame, 25-22, and the 2-0 lead.
Already ahead by four in the opening salvo, the Iranians pounced even more via a 10-4 run. They then established an insurmountable 22-12 lead before taking the set, 25-15.
The Philippine club will resume action tomorrow, facing AGMK of Uzbekistan at 11:00 AM.
