Alas Pilipinas men secure breakthrough win against New Zealand to end AVC Nations Cup Campaign

Alas Pilipinas Men’s national volleyball team concluded their 2025 AVC Men’s Nations Cup campaign on a high note, clinching a hard-fought four-set victory over New Zealand (25-16, 23-25, 25-11, 25-22) in their final classification match on Tuesday, June 24, in Manama, Bahrain. 

This breakthrough win allowed the Filipino squad to avoid a winless exit from the tournament and secure a 10th-place finish, mirroring their performance in the previous two editions.

The win provided a much-needed morale boost for the national team, which had faced a challenging schedule in the tournament. After going winless in the preliminary round against formidable opponents like Pakistan and Chinese Taipei, and then falling to Thailand in the classification phase, Alas Pilipinas showed resilience and determination to cap off their stint with a victory.

Opposite hitter Steven Rotter spearheaded the Alas Pilipinas offense, delivering a stellar performance with 20 points, built on 17 attacks, two aces, and a block, along with seven excellent digs. His all-around effort underscored his growing importance as a cornerstone for the national team.

Veteran team captain Marck Espejo and Louie Ramirez also provided crucial firepower, each contributing 14 points. Their experience and offensive prowess proved vital in navigating the intense moments of the match, especially after dropping the second set.

Alas Pilipinas came out strong in the opening frame, establishing an early lead and maintaining control to take the set 25-16. New Zealand, making their AVC Men’s Nations Cup debut, showed tenacity in the second set, narrowly edging out the Philippines 25-23 to level the match.

However, the Filipino spikers quickly regrouped in the third set, displaying dominant form. Spearheaded by Rotter’s powerful hits and a service ace from Ramirez, Alas Pilipinas surged to a commanding lead, eventually cruising to a 25-11 set win.

The fourth set saw New Zealand mount a late comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to a single point at 21-20. But Alas Pilipinas held firm under pressure. Espejo delivered two crucial kills to stifle the Kiwi rally, and middle blocker Peng Taguibolos sealed the victory with a quick hit, ending the match 25-22.

New Zealand, despite their spirited effort, finished the tournament winless in 11th and last place. Seth Grant led the Kiwis with 13 points, while Andrew Salmon added 12.

This hard-fought victory for Alas Pilipinas Men, their lone win in the 2025 AVC Nations Cup, marks an important step for the squad as they continue to gain valuable international experience and build towards future competitions.

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