Alas breaks barriers

MANILA, Philippines — Step by step, the Alas Pilipinas men’s team is finding its place in the sun.

With the slimmest of chances, the Filipinos defied overwhelming odds by finishing 19th in the ongoing FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship.

It was an amazing performance for a nation that has the lowest seed in this 17-day, 32-country competition – from No. 88 to currently No. 81 – and whose entry was via wild card afforded to the host.

“Historic,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman Pato Gregorio was blown away by the team’s unforgettable performance.

“Our national team has shattered every expectation, finishing higher than more established volleyball countries. Indeed, we have broken barriers on the world stage. The future is here for Philippine volleyball,” said Gregorio.

Alas finished the pool play with a win over Egypt and losses to Tunisia and Iran.

The effort was magnified by the fact that Alas ended up as the second best Asian country, next only to Iran, which edged the former in that epic five-set Pool A duel Thursday for a slot in the round-of-16 where it will battle Pool H No. 1 Serbia Tuesday at the MOA Arena.

The rest of the Asian entries who made it to the quadrennial event via the grueling qualification phase fared worse with Qatar, Japan, South Korea and China winding up 22nd, 23rd, 27th and 30th, respectively.

Interestingly, Alas was ahead of World No. 11 Cuba and No. 10 Germany, which slipped to 20th and 21st.

Other squads ending lower than Alas were Ukraine (24), Egypt (25), Colombia (26), Libya (28), Romania (29), Chile (31) and Algeria (32).

Only Brazil, a three-time world titlist, and reigning Olympic champion France were better than the Philippines among those who didn’t make it to the Last 16.

The effort should intensify the country’s resolve as it shoots for nothing less than a breakthrough gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December and a first podium finish in next year’s Asian Games in Japan.

In the round-of-16, Turkiye, formerly Turkey, overcame an opening-set crash and turned back the Netherlands, 27-29, 25-23, 25-16, 25-19, to punch the first ticket to the quarterfinals.

Adis Lagumdzija went on attack mode and unloaded a match-best 28 points including 25 on kills as the three-time European champion advanced to the next phase where they clash with either Poland or Canada Wednesday.

It was the fourth straight triumph for the Filenin Efeleri, who swept all three of their Pool G matches.

Also coming through for the Turks were Ramazan Efe Mandiraci, Mirza Lagumdzija and Bedirhan Bulbul, who scattered 15, 13 and 12 hits, respectively.