By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Philippine men’s national volleyball team’s chances of a podium finish in the 2023 Southeast Asian games are now all gone after dropping their game against Cambodia last May 4, 2023.
Despite their resilience, the Filipinos got swept in three-straight sets, 18-25, 18-25, 17-25, held at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The host nation was just too explosive for the PHL national team after firing 38 successful attacks which resulted in easy scores.
Jade Disquitado tried to lift the men’s spikers after coming alive midway through the second set but a crucial offensive counter from the Cambodians made it hard for the Filipinos to secure the second frame.
The D’Navigators-Iloilo superstar started strong again in the third set but halfway through the action, Cambodia adjusted to PHL’s offensive sets and started to tighten their middle blocking.
Disquitado was the only player for team PHL to reach the eight-point mark and needed more help from his teammates who just went flat with their spiking.
Jao Umandal, one of the veterans on the team, only chipped in four points and was the focus of the Cambodian defense from start to finish.
Pin Sarun led Cambodia with 13 points built from 12 successful attacks including eight excellent receptions and two blocks.
Cambodia’s power hitter Mouen Meng Laiy also punished the Filipinos after backstopping Sarun with 12 points built from 11 successful attacks and a block.
The Philippines will have a chance to go home with at least a win when they face Singapore, another nation looking for their first win, today at 6 PM.
