Bryan Bagunas. PNVF PHOTO
After nearly five decades and two matches, the Philippine men’s volleyball team has finally emerged victorious in the Asian Games (Asiad).
In a dominant performance, the Filipino men defeated Afghanistan with a score of 25-23, 25-16, 25-12 at Deqing Sports Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.
The previous day, the team suffered a defeat to Indonesia, the reigning SEA Games champion, with a score of 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 in their opening Asiad Pool F match. However, Bryan Bagunas and Steve Rotter ensured that the country would not be discouraged, showcasing their skills in the second match.
This victory marks the first win for the Philippine men’s volleyball team in the Asian Games since the 1974 edition in Tehran, Iran.
Bagunas, who was part of the historic silver medal-winning team in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, contributed 16 points with a 14-of-20 attacking clip, along with a block and an ace.
Rotter, the Filipino-American opposite spiker, delivered 13 points to support Bagunas, who currently holds the title of Taiwan’s Top Volleyball League Most Valuable Player.
With a record of 1-1, the Philippines still has a chance to advance to the Round of 12 if they can defeat Japan, the world No. 5 and Volleyball Nations League bronze medalist, in their upcoming match on Thursday evening.
Despite the unfavorable odds, the victory against Afghanistan has given the Filipino team a much-needed boost.
Marck Espejo, who recently joined the team after his stint with the Korean club Incheon Air Jumbos, played in the third set and contributed three points to the team’s dominant 66-minute win.
Gulam Rasool Haidari scored eight points for Afghanistan (0-2).
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
