Despite being shut out of medal contention, Jau Umandal and the Philippine men’s volleyball team are determined to finish the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with a strong performance.
The team suffered two consecutive straight-set losses to Indonesia and Cambodia in Group A, which prevented them from advancing to the semifinals.
However, the Filipino players remain focused on their final group stage match against Singapore. Umandal emphasized the importance of ending on a winning note, saying, “Even if we’re already out of the top two, we still need to get the win.”
A victory over Singapore would earn the team a chance to compete against the fourth-placed team in Group B for a chance to advance to the battle for fifth-place.
Despite the team’s disappointing showing so far, Sergio Veloso, the Brazilian head coach of the national team, urged fans to be patient and trust the team’s process.
“Our focus in this tournament is not only to take a good position but try to do our best, try to do our 110 percent, improve every day,” he said.
Meanwhile, Umandal refused to make excuses for the team’s losses, saying, “We fell short as a team. The heat and crowd are not the issue, we are used to it.
“But our preparation for this SEA Games is not enough, unlike in 2019 when we had a long preparation.”
As they prepare for their final match, the Philippine men’s volleyball team remains committed to giving their all on the court.
