ALAS Pilipinas Men’s Asian Games quarterfinals bid was dampened on Monday by a second straight sweep, this time at the hands of China, 21-25, 20-25, 22-25, in Pool D.
The loss leaves the Philippines with one final pool-stage match against Chinese Taipei to salvage a place in the next round, but it will be a longshot.
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Multiple tie scenarios remain possible depending on the remaining results and set scores, but Alas now has virtually no margin for error.
A win would keep the Philippines in the qualification picture, though the path to the quarterfinals is now very slim. The top two teams from Pool D advance to the last eight.
Errors once again proved costly as Alas committed 28 miscues, 10 from the service line and five more than its 23 errors in a straight-sets loss to Korea.
Bagunas led Alas with 15 points on 12 attacks and three aces, while Leo Ordiales added 11 and middle blocker Peng Taguibolos chipped in nine.
The Nationals also took an early blow when Owa Retamar slipped and hurt his right leg in the opening set, although the setter returned in the second.
Alas stayed within 14-13 before China broke away to 19-14. The Philippines saved four set points and mounted a late push behind three straight Bagunas aces, but his ensuing attack error ended the comeback.
China again pulled away midway through the second set after a tight start. Alas mounted one final fightback in the third, cutting a six-point hole to two and saving a match point, but could not complete the comeback.
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