Rebisco-Philippines men’s volleyball team wrapped up its 2021 Asian Men’s Club Volleyball Championship quest at ninth place.
After winless matches, the Pinoy spikers got some rhythm to end its tournament campaign with a convincing victory against CEB Sports Club of Sri Lanka, 25-14, 22-25, 25-18, 21-25, 15-11 at the Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Being one of the youngest players in the squad, Joshua Umandal spearheaded the offense anew for the Team Philippines with 28 points, built on 20 attacks, five blocks and three service aces. Team captain John Vic De Guzman and Nico Almendras contributed 11 points apiece.
Kim Malabunga and Francis Saura controlled the roofing skills for the national volleyball team as they combined for 10 swats to finish the game with 10 markers apiece.
After trading leads to start the first set, Rebisco-Philippines pulled away with a 12-4 run capped by three straight hits from Umandal to handily take the set from Sri Lankans, 25-14.
They were ahead by one point in the second set but the Sri Lankans scored four straight points to reach set point. A quick kill from Malabunga, however, halted that run before CEB Sports Club closed the game with an off-the-block hit.
With a tied scoreboard, Rebisco-Philippines quickly recovered from the second set loss and stage a comeback to a 7-2 advantage in the third set before running away completely, 25-18, to move a set away from the win.
CEB countered with a strong game in the fourth set for a 24-18 advantage. Rebisco-Philippines netted three straight points before the Sri Lankan’s forced a fifth set with a powerful hit.
In the fifth set, both teams wanted the win. The Pinoy spikers set the tone in the fifth frame before clinging to a 13-11 lead. An error by CEB Sports Club moved the Philippines to match point before Umandal ended the match with an off-the-block hit.
With the win, the national volleyball team ranked ninth in the tournament while the Sri Lankans landed behind at 10th place.IMT Sports
