The Philippines will take on Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Fans praised Bryan Bagunas for tallying double-digits in the Philippine men's national volleyball team's opening loss of the Asian Games against Southeast Asian champion Indonesia but called for adjustments in the next matches.
Bagunas, a standout for the Philippines in the SEA VLeague and as an import in Taiwanese club Win Streak, registered 17 points coming off 16 attacks and an ace, according to a match report cited by the Spikers' Turf website.
The result stated in the Hangzhou 2022 website for the Asian Games though listed Bagunas as creating 19 points from 17 attacks along with a block and an ace.
Either way, powerhouse Indonesia swept the match, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20.
Despite the loss, the match is a milestone for the Filipinos, since this is their first appearance in the Asian Games in nearly half a century. In 1974, the Philippine men's volleyball team finished sixth among eight squads.
One fan said Bagunas seemingly had the Philippines on his back.
Some were impressed with Bagunas' attacking success rate.
Some questioned why Marck Espejo, recently selected as an import for Korean squad Incheon Korean Air Jumbos, was playing off the bench. The match report cited by the Spikers' Turf said Espejoas had eight points coming from six attacks and two blocks.
Some were dismayed Steven Rotter, a Best Opposite Spiker in the SEA VLeague, didn't get many points. He made nine against Indonesia.
Some have questioned Spikers' Turf Open Conference Most Valuable Player Jao Umandal's efficiency as a starter.
The Philippines will next take on Afghanistan on Wednesday at 2:30 p.m.
The country has been drawn into Group F, the only one with four squads. That means the Filipinos must best the rest of its assignments against Afghanistan and volleyball powerhouse Japan for a shot at the top two and the round of 12 knockout stage.
(CF)