FACING heightened expectations after a shaky start, Alas Pilipinas is expected to settle in and respond with renewed focus in the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship.
The Philippines clashes with Egypt in a high-stakes showdown on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the home squad hoping to climb out of the bottom and the Pharaohs looking to take the lead in Pool A.
First serve is at 5:30 p.m.
Alas Pilipinas sputtered through the first two sets against Tunisia, the 11-time African champion, before finally finding its rhythm.
The Filipinos need to be firing on all cylinders from the get-go against Egypt, the current African volleyball titleholder.
Marck Espejo admitted Alas Pilipinas grappled with nerves and couldn’t find their flow early on, but believes the team is better prepared now that the opener is behind them.
“We really should be mentally ready (against Egypt),” Espejo said. “Because physically, skills-wise, everyone seems to be training equally. It's really just the mindset on the court, the desire to win.”
Bryan Bagunas showed the way with 23 points on 20 attacks for the Philippines against Tunisia, while Espejo came up with nine points on eight attacks.
Espejo, one of the elders on the team at 28, is determined to do much better. “For me, the mindset is this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so I'm really going to do my best as much as possible.”
Middle blockers Peng Taguibolos and Kim Malabunga will also be counted on to deliver more after showing flashes of brilliance in the opener.
Buds Buddin and Jade Disquitado, the two young opposite hitters sharing the same position behind Espejo and Bagunas, will also be looking to make an impact.
With Ahmed Shafik, Abdelrahman Elhossiny and Aly Seifeldin Hassan leading the way, Egypt defeated Iran in four sets 25-17, 16-25, 25-23, 25-20 last Sunday, taking second spot in the group.
Tunisia seized the early lead with the straight-sets rout of the Philippines.
Iran and Tunisia face off in the other Pool A match on Tuesday.
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