AVC Game Highlights: Alas Pilipinas challenge China, but fall short in tough opener

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Alas Pilipinas take it to China in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, but the nationals fall short in a tough three-set loss.

Transcript

00:00Captain Chiang Chiu-Wan. Tough first ball to work with.

00:04Espejo makes do with it. Oh, that's a lucky break for the Philippines.

00:10At sinulit naman ni Leo Urgiales.

00:13Good decision for Urgiales to

00:16play with the tempo of that attack. Went for that soft touch.

00:21Seeing that Wong was a bit late in going

00:26for that block.

00:32Sobrang importante nga. The floor defense would be crucial. That is

00:36a good attack. A kill coming from Leo Urgiales.

00:40A couple of points already in this match. Two points already for

00:44Urgiales. A great decision again to go down the line there.

00:49But great effort from Retamar to go for that.

00:52Here's Urgiales. Good to see him not shy away from the challenge of China.

00:57Good touch by the blockers ng Pilipinas.

01:02And that block goes out. Lalamang ang Alas Pilipinas. 6-5 against the Powerhouse

01:07Chinese squad. And you mentioned that was a good touch. And this is what they need.

01:12They want to slow down the offense of China to have an opportunity to convert.

01:17Their talents and veterans.

01:22They go back to Mark Espejo. He's trying to use

01:27the aggression of blocks. And that is a good hit from Espejo

01:32as he finds the line. He's been trying to go cross court a couple of times but

01:37switching angles, going down the line works for him this time. Just the right amount of

01:42speed that risks action. Retamar with signing.

01:47Signal AP Spikers. Local scene as Urgiales. How about this?

01:52Youngster pouring it on with three early points. But that point started

01:57with a really good pass coming from Ibanez. But the down the line angle has been working

02:02well for Alas Pilipinas going to Zone 1. And that double block.

02:07Zhang will set it up.

02:12That's not a great attack from China. This one is though.

02:17But it is picked up by Retamar. Urgiales off the block.

02:22Four points for the youngster. Urgiales has been on fire

02:27in this set. And you see that his teammates

02:32really has the trust on him. And he has been delivering majority of the points

02:37here. So far the leading scorer. Good serve.

02:42Free ball for the Filipinas. And that combination play works out.

02:47Chao Mandal gets the Philippines within one.

02:52Alas Pilipinas gaining momentum here.

02:57Urgiales powering through. Beating the blockers on that one.

03:02A bit too late.

03:07Middle activated. Malabunga scoring.

03:12This is why their passing is very important. Because they want their middles to be involved

03:17in attacking. Retamar getting a chance.

03:22Good reception.

03:27And it leads to a tremendous scoring opportunity for Chao Mandal once again.

03:32Chao Mandal again powering through.

03:37Two blockers in front of him. And you know Retamar.

03:42Good reception.

03:47Chao Mandal is heating up here. And trying to give the Philippines

03:52in this first set. Retamar and Chao Mandal showing some good connection

03:57in this set. Again only one blocker. This time a better execution.

04:02Good first ball. And it leads to another

04:07Urgiales kill.

04:12Urgiales has been a revelation so far in this set.

04:17He will get a lot of opportunities.

04:22Triple block for the Philippines.

04:27Read well by Alas Pilipinas.

04:32Three blockers with him on that one. Take a look at this.

04:37Retamar Malabunga and Espejo with the perfect timing.

04:42It's a matter of timing it perfectly.

04:47Good first ball from Ipanez. And that's the result.

04:52Espejo with a mighty kill.

04:57And again we have to mention how Retamar has been setting up.

05:02That's a good quick. Malabunga getting the first point for Alas.

05:07Ipanez as you mentioned has been spectacular in serve reception.

05:12Malabunga getting activated. Triple block.

05:17And that is a great idea. Made the mistake.

05:22Made the attacking error. And send it right back to him. And that is a quality of Retamar.

05:274-2 right now. Two point advantage.

05:32Another good hit. Courtesy of Jao Mandal.

05:37Another insistent attack. Again Josh Ibanez with a good first ball.

05:42Retamar just knowing what to do.

05:47Workable first ball there.

05:52How about Ordiales connecting with that one.

05:57You know China starting to recognize that they need to avoid Ibanez but

06:02Mandal with a stable first ball and Ordiales from the Jao Mandal.

06:07They go to the quick. But it was well read by the Chinese defense.

06:12Ordiales is a scoring machine.

06:17Ordiales really scoring important points here for

06:22Alas Filipinas. I mean China getting momentum.

06:27But Ordiales breaking the momentum through his scoring here.

06:32I mean going up against players that you watch and read about.

06:37Driving to yourself that you can attack and fight.

06:42And you know the scoring of Ordiales is

06:47really giving Alas Filipinas some confidence here.

06:52First ball.

06:57Back row attack is a monster.

07:02Mark Espeo from the back row.

07:07Take a look at him flying that one.

07:12Just too much power and too much speed in that attack.

07:17Retamar is doing a great job.

07:22Good hit.

07:27First ball.

07:32And that scores again.

07:37Retamar just knows that the blockers are waiting

07:42for the wings to attack. But the back row hits has been working

07:47for Alas Filipinas earlier. Mark Espeo this time Jao Mandal no blocker in that sequence.

07:52And that is

07:57Jay Disguitado seeing his first action and

08:02officially welcome to the 2024.

08:07Efficient with their scoring in this match.

08:12Espeo finds a way to outsmart the triple block.

08:17Simple play for Mark Espeo.

08:22Tried to play safe actually but very effective on that one.

08:27Again the soft touch with the off speed.

08:32He targeted the outside.

08:37The youngsters are doing well. The kids are definitely alright.

08:42They had a short preparation for this.

08:47And this is relatively a new team for us.

08:52It has been important.

08:57And Jao Mandal gets one through.

09:02And this is what has been working for Alas Filipinas.

09:07It's really given that China will really try to close down Alas Filipinas.

09:12But Alas Filipinas powering through.

09:17Another good first ball.

09:22Another quick will score for Alas Filipinas.

09:27Retamar has been trying to activate the middles in this set.

09:33Back row attack. Picked up.

09:38Retamar will send it across.

09:43One more chance for Alas Filipinas.

09:48And that will score for the youngster again.

09:53Mordiales really has been a spark plug here for Alas Filipinas.

09:58Great ball control. Great decision making.

10:03Faking that one. Going for a soft touch in the last second.

10:085-4. And that will score again.

10:13Another 1-2 for Retamar.

10:18Sneaky 1-2 play there for Retamar.

10:23Good save to set that ball.

10:28Three players in the floor defense could not get that pancake save.

10:33Good attack for the Philippines answering right back.

10:38And a synchronized offense there for Alas Filipinas.

10:43All spikers jumping at the same time that really confused the net defense of China.

10:48Chow Mandal.

10:53Another point.

10:58But a quick response from the team captain once again.

11:03When they are pushed, they go to their wings.

11:08Chang Chuan or Zhang Jingyan.

11:13Retamar is also having a spectacular game so far.

11:18This time activating Malabunga with a back quick.

11:23I mean there is no doubt that Joshua Retamar is at the top of his game, right?

11:28And what a time for our volleyball teams to have Retamar on one end.

11:33Short serve.

11:38A motion ace for Espejo.

11:43Purple block effective. China goes to the other side.

11:48Great dive.

11:53Mandal easily dug up.

11:58Another attack for China. Slowed down by the blockers of Alas.

12:03And this one is a kill for Chow Mandal.

12:08Retamar not giving up on Chow Mandal.

12:13Going to him again and again.

12:18Malabunga finally found a way to get that point.

12:23They have been maximizing that hole.

12:28Congratulations.

12:33Malabunga has been a steady hand at middle for the Philippines.

12:38That's right. Malabunga playing efficient volleyball here.

12:43We are at match point.

12:48That quick was well defended but it is kept alive.

12:53This Kitado finds the angle in this match up.

12:58But the team captain of China says enough is enough.

13:03Well fought but this is over. 25-22.

13:08Chow Mandal with Jiang Chuan delivering the game winner.

13:13But you can see the big smiles on the face of Alas.

13:18They knew they competed against a giant.

13:23They know that they did well in this game.

13:28They really tried to keep it close but they weren't able to power through the firepower of China.

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