ALAS Pilipinas Men saw history repeat itself on Thursday, opening Leg 2 of the 6th SEA V.Cup with another loss to Cambodia, 20-25, 21-25, 24-26, in Jakarta.
The defeat came on a day that also put the Philippines’ long-term ambitions into perspective.
READ: Alas Women, Men both drawn with powerhouse China in Asian Games
Hours after the Nationals woke up to learn they had been drawn into a formidable Asian Games pool with Korea, China and Chinese Taipei this September, they now find themselves still unable to solve a Cambodia side that has quickly emerged as one of Southeast Asia's fastest-rising programs.
The unlikely youngster-veteran duo of Josh Magalaman and Jude Garcia again carried the scoring load for Alas, but could not keep the Filipinos from suffering the same fate they endured in the opening leg in Candon.
Cambodia, fresh from its Cinderella title run in Leg 1 after going winless just a year ago, continued to prove its remarkable ascent is no accident.
The loss now leaves Alas Men with its back against the wall again ahead of a must-win clash against host Indonesia on Friday if it hopes to keep its semifinal hopes alive after missing out on the Final Four in the opening leg.
Flat challenge to the champions
The first two sets unfolded much like Cambodia would have wanted, with the reigning champions flexing their newfound might in their first match since stunning Indonesia in the Leg 1 finale.
The Filipinos finally found some fight in the third set, turning it into a much tighter affair as Garcia kept Alas within striking distance, erasing one Cambodia match point with a clutch attack to briefly keep Philippine hopes alive.
The five-time Spikers' Turf MVP looked to pull off the same rescue act on the very next match point, but his attack sailed long to put Cambodia on the brink of victory once more.
Alas Men challenged for a block touch in a last-ditch attempt to stay alive, but the review came up empty, sealing a straight-sets defeat for the Filipinos.
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