The Philippines’ 2018-2020 AVC Continental Cup campaign is off to a rousing start, Friday in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
This as the duo of Jaron Requinton and Jude Garcia outlasted Lebanon’s Paul Bol Akl and Joe El Azzi in the golden match, 21-16, 21-17, to notch their first win in the semifinals.
Tied at 17 in the second set, Garcia and Requinton dropped back-to-back hits. Bol Akl then committed two straight errors to give the Philippines the win.
The Filipinos equally shared the offensive cudgels, with Garcia producing 17 points while Requinton had 16 of his own.
Bol Akl led Lebanon with 14 markers, while El Azzi just missed double figures with nine.
Prior to the golden match, Garcia’s Team B partner Krung Arbasto was monitored due to severe cramping.
Earlier in the day, the duo of James Buytrago and Requinton lost to Chedid and El Azzi, 19-21, 19-21.
But Philippine Team 2 of Garcia and Arbasto scored a come-from-behind 21-16, 18-21, 18-16 victory over Lebanese tandem of Paul Bou Akl and Salba Chafic to force a decider.
The Filipinos were a point away from the loss, 10-14, before their clutch genes saved the day.
They strung together four consecutive points on a crosscourt kill and three blocks, extending the match and eventually take the win, 18-16.
The country will next face Australia later at 4:00PM.
