Philippine men’s volleyball team. Photo from SEA V-League
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine national men’s volleyball team finished the Southeast Asia (SEA) V-League empty-handed and missed out on a podium finish in the second leg.
Vietnam pulled the rug from under the Filipinos, 22-25, 25-18, 25-20, 24-26, 15-8, at City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna on Sunday to seal the silver medal for themselves, leaving the Philippines in last place.
Thuen Nguyen Ngoc saved his best performance for last with 22 points built on 17 successful spikes.
Marck Espejo finished with 21 markers while Bryan Bagunas tallied 20 to his name but it was all for naught. Steven Rotter also finished with a 19-marker outing in a losing effort.
With the loss, the Philippines was unable to notch a win in the entirety of the regional meet, including the first leg in Indonesia.
Rotter was hailed as the Best Opposite Spiker for the second leg in a row while Farhan Halim of Indonesia earned the MVP plum.
Meanwhile, Indonesia, which swept the Laguna leg, will go home with the gold medal.
The Indonesians defeated Thailand in five thrilling sets, 25-27, 20-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-9, to sweep the competition.
The Thais finished in third place.
