Steve Rotter and Jade Disquitado ensured that the Philippine men’s national volleyball team did not leave the 32nd Southeast Asian Games without a victory.
The duo’s performance helped the team outlast Malaysia in a thrilling five-set match, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 24-26, 17-15, and advance to the battle for fifth place at the Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Malaysians threatened to make a comeback late in the fifth set, after Rotter committed an attack error, which was followed by a Sim Jian Qin backrow attack that tied the scores at 13-all.
Jay Rack Dela Noche and Qin exchanged attacks, and Disquitado and Mohd Asri Muharia followed with another trade, resulting in both teams being tied at 14 once more.
Disquitado then hit off the block to put the Philippines ahead by one before Qin’s attack sailed out, handing the win to the Filipinos.
The Philippines already had the upper hand after taking a 2-1 lead, but the Malaysians fought back in the fourth set to win 24-26, sending the game to a deciding fifth frame.
The Filipinos will face Singapore on Monday at 3:30 p.m. for the fifth spot.
