SINGAPORE–The Philippine boys and girls volleyball teams settled for the bronze medals after succumbing to their Indonesian rivals on Wednesday at the Republic Polytechnic here.
Banking on their powerful jump serves, the towering Indons stamped their class over the hapless Filipino boys in straight sets, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23.
With Daffa Adryanshah Muhammad, Nurhidayat Kaula, Damar Saputtra Okky–all at least five-foot-eight in height –the Indonesians were never really threatened as the PH spikers simply have no answer for them.
Looking for some energy off his reserves, coach Edward Lirio inserted Kenneth Roi Culabat, Noel Raphael Kampton, and Vincent Caberte into the line-up.
Kampton, who missed the team’s last two games due to tonsillitis, returned to action after missing the first game against the Malaysia.
The Culabat-Kampton-Caberte trio provided the much-needed firepower which was relatively missing in the first two sets.
For a while, it looked like the Philippines could extend the match into a fourth set after securing a 17-15 advantage over Indonesia.
But, a pivotal service error by Kampton was the game-changer as the Indons regained momentum and finally put the game out of reach.
After the game, Volleyball Sports Committee again acknowledged Culabat for his outstanding character after returning some valuables he found inside a restroom.
Culabat was awarded a Youth Olympic Games 2010 collector’s item volleyball along with chocolates, and a handwritten letter from the Volleyball Sports Committee.
“Dear Kenneth Roi De La Rosa Culabat, the volleyball sports working committee appreciate your character in and out of the court. You have raised the image of your country," read the letter.
"Congratulations to your country and family for raising a fine gentleman. Thank you," it added.
Meanwhile, the girls spikers also suffered similar loss at the hands of Indonesia in straight sets, 18-25, 20-25, and 25-16. PSC PR