EGYPT will not take first-timer Alas Pilipinas lightly, believing that the host has a good team in its first-ever FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
Egypt trounced the higher-ranked Iran 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 in its first Pool A assignment on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
But Egypt coach Marco Bonitta, who will face his fellow Italian Angiolino Frigoni, braces for a tough battle against the Philippines on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Although Alas Pilipinas was swept by Tunisia in last Friday’s opener, Bonitta was impressed with the Filipino Spikers, who put up a gallant stand in the third set led by captain Bryan Bagunas.
“It will be a very, very difficult match because the Philippines was a little bit nervous in the first and second sets, but they played very well starting the third set. I’m sure that the level of the Philippine team is what they will show us in the first set so it would be a very, very tough match,” Bonitta said.
Ahmed Shafik, Abdelrahman Elhossiny, and Aly Seifeldin Hassan say they need to stay ready against “a good Alas team” with the massive support of the home crowd.
“This is a very good experience to play in a court full of people. I hope to keep winning. The Philippines has very good players. Also, the coach, I know him. He's a very good coach. He's been on top for a long time,” Elhossiny said after scoring 17 points.
Hassan, who had 12 points, added they also need to have the right mindset in dealing with the homecourt advantage of the Philippines.
“It will be tough for sure that we will play the Philippines. We will prepare very, very well because we’re here in the Philippines with their fans but we will deal with it,” he said.
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