August 02, 2025

Alas Pilipinas eye sweep of Invitationals as Kennedy Batas, crew brace for Thailand test

Alas Pilipinas eye sweep of Invitationals as Kennedy Batas, crew brace for Thailand test
Kennedy Batas and Alas Pilipinas Men will go for a perfect run in the Invitationals as they face regional rivals Thailand. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Riding high on back-to-back wins, Alas Pilipinas look to complete a perfect run in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals as they face the Thailand Men’s National Volleyball Team in a much-anticipated finale at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao on Thursday, June 12.

The national team leaned on captain Marck Espejo’s poise and leadership to turn back the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20, for their second straight win in the tournament.

Espejo anchored a balanced attack alongside Louie Ramirez, Steven Rotter, and Joshua Retamar, with Alas Pilipinas holding off the South Korean powerhouse in key stretches of the match to preserve their unbeaten slate.

[ALSO READ: Jackson Reed introduces himself to Alas Pilipinas supporters after debut game]

Now standing at 2-0, Alas shares the lead with Thailand, which also swept its first two matches after dominating Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi earlier in the day.

The Thursday showdown against the Thai national squad, bannered by lefty opposite hitter Khonhan Amornthep, will serve as the national team’s toughest test yet in the lead-up to the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship in September.

[ALSO READ: Amornthep Konhan, Thailand stand in Alas Pilipinas’ way for perfect Invitationals run]

Tip-off will be at 7:30 p.m., following the opening match between Hyundai Capital and Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi at 4:00 p.m.

(With reports from Kiko Demigillo)

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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]

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