Alas Pilipinas proved to have just enough firepower to take down the Proliga champions Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in their opening match in the Alas Pilipinas Invitationals.
Alas Pilipinas are off to a fine start in their three-day Invitationals tournament after thumping past Indonesia’s Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi in four sets, 25-23, 27-29, 25-21, 25-22, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Tuesday, June 10.
The national team banked on the strong performance of Louie Ramirez, who finished with 25 points, to defeat the two-time Proliga champions.
Amid another close battle in the fourth set, Alas Men gained a crucial three-point lead at 17-14 after Buds Buddin’s kill block on spiker Arjuna Mahendra.
However, Jakarta would not go down fighting, eventually finding a way back and tying the game at 19-all. But once again, the Philippine squad pulled ahead with Ramirez giving Alas a two-point lead at 22-20 after his strong cross-court attack.
Reigning UAAP MVP Kennedy Batas would then prove to be the difference after back-to-back points, including a huge kill block to put Alas Men at match point.
After pulling one back, Anggara Agil Angga’s serve failed to cross the net, sealing the victory for the Philippines.
Alas Men will face South Korea’s Hyundai Capital Skywalkers tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., still at the Big Dome.