Alas Men fall to Pakistan in AVC Nations Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines, June 18 ------ Alas Pilipinas got off to a rocky start in the 2025 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Men’s Nations Cup as it suffered a 25-18, 25-12, 18-25, 25-22 loss to Pakistan in Manama, Bahrain.

After a dominant sweep of the three-day Alas Pilipinas Invitationals at the Araneta Coliseum earlier this month, the Filipinos failed to carry the momentum into the Nations Cup as they immediately fell into a 0-2 hole against Pakistan, including a lopsided second set. Still trailing early in the third, 7-9, Alas Men — led by Leo Ordiales — then unleashed an 8-1 run for a 15-10 lead, before closing out the set, 25-18, to stay alive in the contest.

The Philippines looked poised for another strong showing in the fourth as it raced to an early 5-0 cushion, but Pakistan managed to regain its bearings just in time, overtaking the Filipinos with an 8-7 advantage. With Pakistan threatening to pull away with a 20-16 separation late in the fourth set, Alas Men once again showed signs of life as they pulled within just one, 21-22, off a block by Buds Buddin. Unfortunately for the Filipinos, that was the closest they could get as Pakistan closed out the set on a 3-1 blast to seal the victory.

Pakistan spoiled the game-high 22-point explosion of Ordiales built on 15 attacks, 5 blocks, and 2 aces. Buddin and Steven Rotter helped Ordiales carry the fight for the Philippines with 10 points each. After dropping to 0-1 in Pool C, Alas Men face a do-or-die situation when they go up against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday, June 18 at 7 pm, Manila time.

Source: rappler.com