MANILA, Philippines – A heavy 8-game schedule marks the start of the men’s volleyball competition on Sunday with Alas Pilipinas Men hoping for an encouraging start to their campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games.
But it won’t be easy, as Alas Men clash with perennial contender South Korea in one of the three games scheduled at Park Arena Komaki at 1 p.m.
After the arrival of versatile setter Ave Joshua “Owa” Retamar from Europe on Friday , where he plays for Ordu Sports Club in Azerbaijan, the team looks inspired and ready to rumble against the Koreans.
“Okay naman sila sa ngayon, we are hoping maging maganda ang resulta ng laro namin bukas kahit ngayon lang maging complete,” said team manager Ronwald Dimaculangan, who is the coach of the team of University of the East in the UAAP.
Though Retamar has had only a day to practice with the team, chemistry will not be much of a problem since he knows his teammates very well, having played together during the 2025 FIVB World Championships in Manila Out to play key roles for the team are veterans Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, and Josh Ybañez Lloyd Josafat.
Though the Koreans are known for their offensive firepower, Alas Men will be putting more premium on how they play.
“That will be our focus, our own games rather than our opponents,” added Dimaculangan.
Meanwhile, four-peat seeking Iran starts its campaign against Kyrgyzstan at 1 p.m., while AVC Continental Cup champion Japan faces Uzbekistan in Pool A, beginning 7 p.m. at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park.
China, which was also drawn with Alas and Korea in Pool D, collides with Chinese-Taipei at 7 p.m. TMT
