Games on Wednesday
(Candon City Arena)
2 p.m. – Thailand vs Vietnam
5:30 p.m. – Alas Pilipinas vs Cambodia
A SLEW of World Championship veterans will spearhead Alas Pilipinas when it clashes with Cambodia on Wednesday and seek a podium return in the primary of the two-week men’s SEA V Cup at Candon City Arena.
Energetic Josh Ybañez, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez and Vince Lorenzo, who was a part of the historic team that saw motion within the Worlds the country hosted a yr ago, will carry a lot of the load for the host nation on this five-day meet within the absence of their top two stars — Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo.
The Nationals, mentored by Italian Angiolino Frigoni, took in Jude Garcia, a Southeast Asian Games beach volley bronze winner, to assist fill the large void left by the explosive Messrs. Bagunas-Espejo duo.
Completing the Alas roster are Jian Salarzon, Axel Van Book, JJ Macam, Al-Bukharie Sali, Rodge Alejos, Trevor Valera, Lirick Mendoza, Josh Magalaman, Greg Ancheta, Adrian Villados and Vennie Ceballos.
The Filipinos are in search of a medal finish this time after missing out on a podium finish within the last two legs of this annual event on this progressive Ilocos Sur city and Jakarta, Indonesia.
Their best effort got here two years ago when it snared a few bronzes in Manila and Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
“Hosting this prestigious championship for the second consecutive yr is one other significant milestone for Candon City and reflects the arrogance entrusted to us in staging international sporting events,” said Candon Mayor Eric D. Singson.
“It also provides Candon City the chance to represent the Philippines by sharing the heat of Filipino hospitality while advancing sports tourism as a catalyst for economic growth, cultural exchange, and community development,” he added.
The Philippines takes a break on Thursday then returns to the ground on Friday versus Indonesia, the second leg titlist last yr. — Joey Villar