Owa Retamar emphasized the need for continuity and better preparation as Alas Pilipinas Men wrapped up their historic year with a bronze medal finish in the SEA Games 2025.
Owa Retamar saw the Alas Pilipinas Men’s 33rd Southeast Asian Games run as another step in an ongoing process for the national team.
Amid their comeback against Vietnam that led to a bronze-medal finish in the SEA Games 2025, Retamar focused on keeping things simple and direct with his teammates.
“Sinasabi ko lang sa nila na kahit anong bigay ko ‘yung bola, kailangan nilang patayin. Kailangan namin bawat puntos ipaglaban namin para manalo kami,” Retamar told One Sports.
Rather than dwelling on the deficit, Alas Men concentrated on execution and staying composed.
That approach carried through to the final moments of the match, including the winning point, which Retamar did not immediately realize had already sealed the result.
“Hindi ko nga po alam na tapos na pala. Akala ko deuce pa nung time na ‘yun. Pero panalo na pala kasi nakita ko nagtakbuhan na sila,” he said.
[ALSO READ: Lloyd Josafat recalls calm mindset behind ace that sealed Alas Men’s SEA Games bronze]
Plenty of lessons to take away
The bronze-medal finish came after a demanding tournament, which exposed both the team’s strengths and its gaps.
Alas Pilipinas Men celebrate after their bronze medal finish in the SEA Games 2025. | Photo: POC Media Pool
Retamar acknowledged that while Alas Men entered the SEA Games with momentum from their historic FIVB World Championship campaign, the group was not able to reach the same level of cohesion in a short competition.
“Sobrang saya kasi lahat ng game namin mahirap," Retamar reflected.
"May lapses kami, may pagkukulang talaga kami as individual. And siyempre ‘yung namin hindi siya ka-sing solid noong World Championship sa ngayong SEA Games pero masaya pa rin kami kasi nag-third pa rin kami,” he added.
[ALSO READ: Bryan Bagunas proud as Alas Men turn SEA Games gold disappointment into bronze finish]
For Retamar, the experience highlighted the importance of continuity moving forward, particularly in terms of preparation and scheduling.
“Sana lang magkaroon talaga ng maayos na calendar sa Pilipinas ‘yung volleyball para at least 'yung preparation talaga maging solid,” he said.
“Mapaghandaan ng maigi bawat tournament na sasalihan. Kahit papaano kumpleto or piling-pili ‘yung mga players na maglalaro sa mga tournament, sana maging gano'n.”
With the SEA Games 2025 bronze added to the program’s resume, Retamar and the rest of Alas Men will look to build on their historic year come 2026.
(With reports from Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports)
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.