Steven Rotter stood tall as Alas Pilipinas Men capped off their 2025 AVC Men’s Nations Cup campaign on a high note, outlasting New Zealand in four sets, 25-16, 23-25, 25-11, 25-22, on Tuesday evening (Manila time) at the Isa Bin Rashed Hall in Manama, Bahrain.
This marks the third straight edition in which the Philippines finished in 10th place, replicating its performances in the previous two AVC stints in Taiwan and Bahrain.
Coming off a tough straight-sets loss to a vengeful Thailand side last Saturday, the Nationals bounced back with a breakthrough win — just 80 days before they host the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, set from September 12 to 28 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Nationals came out firing, building an early 18-9 lead in the opening set before closing it out behind the timely hits of Louie Ramirez, Leo Ordiales, and team captain Marck Espejo.
After a narrow second-set setback, the Philippines regrouped quickly. A crosscourt kill by Rotter, an ace from Ramirez, and a 1-2 play by Owa Retamar helped establish a commanding 19-9 advantage in the third frame — an edge that proved insurmountable for the Kiwis.
New Zealand committed two critical attack errors, and a sharp spike from Espejo capped a 6-2 closing run to hand the Philippines a pivotal 2-1 set lead.
In the fourth set, New Zealand clawed back with two blocks from Luke McIntosh and an ace by Seth Grant, trimming a 19-14 deficit to just one point, 21-20.
But Alas Pilipinas held its ground. Espejo delivered two clutch attacks, while Peng Taguibolos sealed the deal with a quick hit to clinch the team’s lone win of the tournament — and its third consecutive 10th-place finish.
Rotter led all scorers with 20 points built on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block, while also tallying seven excellent digs. Espejo and Ramirez backed him up with 14 points apiece in the morale-boosting victory.
Taguibolos added seven points on six attacks and one block, while Lloyd Josafat chipped in four points. Two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez anchored the defense with 18 excellent digs, and Retamar also contributed four points of his own.
With the AVC tournament wrapped up, Alas Men now turn their attention to the first leg of the 2025 SEA V.League, slated for July 9 to 13 in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
Following that, the squad will embark on a European training camp, which includes tune-up matches against Romania, Portugal, and Chile — three fellow participants in the upcoming World Championship.
Meanwhile, debuting New Zealand settled for 11th and last place, with their only set win in the tournament coming against the Philippines.
Grant led the Kiwis with 13 points on 10 attacks, two aces, and a block, while Andrew Salmon added 12 points off 11 attacks and a block.
