Alas men turn back Myanmar to open SEA Games campaign

Alas Pilipinas men

(Philippine Olympic Committee via Facebook)

MANILA, Philippines — From its momentous run in the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in Manila last August, Alas Pilipinas hopes to write more glorious chapters of its historic feats in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.

And the Filipinos looked on course of reaching more heights as they trounced Myanmar, 25-23, 25-20, 25-21, that jumpstarted their bid at the Indoor Stadium Huamark Saturday in the Thai capital.

That win, the Nationals’ first in the three-country Group B, put them on the cusp of barging into the semifinals for a chance at earning a crack at a breakthrough gold medal in the sport in the biennial games.

The country would qualify to the Final Four if Indonesia beats Myanmar Sunday or if it could pull the rug from under the Indonesians, the reigning men’s champions, Tuesday.

Skipper Bryan Bagunas led the way, and his presence was most felt in the critical stretch of the third set when he scored six of Alas’ last 10 points that helped hammer in the final nail in Myanmar’s coffin.

The Filipinos would need more than that against the fancied Indonesians in a duel that can be used as gauge if the former, who placed 19th in the Worlds, are worthy to challenge for that gold.

In women’s play, Alas shoots for its medal in two decades as it tackles a dangerous Vietnam in the semis Saturday.

If the Filipinas win, they would be assured of the silver or the nation’s first podium finish since snaring a bronze back home in 2005.