None other than team captain Bryan Bagunas gave props to Al-Bukharie Sali, whose Alas Pilipinas Men debut provided the spark that turned the tide in the Philippines' triumphant SEA Games 2025 opener.
It was a debut to remember for Al-Bukharie Sali.
Playing his first game for Alas Pilipinas Men, the 24-year-old injected energy into the Nationals in the dying moments of the opening set, helping the team turn the tide against Myanmar and secure a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 victory in their SEA Games 2025 opener on Saturday, December 11.
[ALSO READ: Alas Pilipinas Men blank Myanmar to open gold-medal bid in SEA Games 2025]
Trailing 16-21 in the first set, Sali came off the Alas bench and delivered a timely cross-court attack and crucial block touches, sparking a comeback that proved pivotal in securing the sweeping victory for the Philippines.
The UST standout’s energy and two-way play drew praise from none other than team captain Bryan Bagunas.
“Kundi hindi naman nakuha ‘yung first set, medyo magbabago ‘yung ihip ng game. ‘Yung pagpasok niya, nagiba ‘yung ihip ng hangin sa loob ng court. Nung nakuha namin yung first set, talagang nagtuloy-tuloy,” Bagunas told Cignal’s Denise Tan on Sali's impact.
“Alam naman natin si Sali is bata, so nabring-up niya yung energy ng team and talagang sumisigaw siya nung nakapuntos siya and naka-block din siya,” he added.
With the win, the Alas Men moved closer to a semifinals berth but their next challenge looms large in the form of three-time defending champion Indonesia on Tuesday, December 16.
More work to be done
As usual, Bagunas led Alas Men from the front, delivering six of the team’s final 10 points to complete the clean sweep.
Yet even with the victory, the 28-year-old skipper said the team still has work to do.
“Medyo shaky ‘yung first game namin, lalo na ‘yung first two sets," Bagunas insisted.
"Pero I think nakuha naman namin ‘yung rhythm namin nung third set. Pero kailangan pa namin malinis ‘yung small mistakes namin, lalo na ‘yung mga service errors namin na medyo marami ngayon,” Bagunas added.
With just two days to prepare, Alas Men must fine-tune their game if they to continue their SEA Games gold medal chase and also end a six-year podium drought.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.