By Jean Malanum
MANILA – The Philippines begins its campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games men’s volleyball against South Korea on Sunday.
The Philippines-South Korea duel is one of three games scheduled at the Park Arena Komaki.
Setter Ave Joshua “Owa” Retamar, who plays for Ordu Sports Club in Azerbaijan, has arrived in Japan last Friday.
“They’re doing fine so far; we’re hoping for a good result in tomorrow’s game, especially since we’ll finally have a complete lineup,” team manager Ronwald Dimaculangan said in a news release Saturday.
Though Retamar only has one day to practice with the team, chemistry will not be a problem as he played with them in the 2025 FIVB World Championships in Manila.
Also expected to perform well are veterans Bryan Bagunas, Marck Jesus Espejo, Josh Ybañez, and Lloyd Josafat.
The Koreans are known for their offensive firepower, so the Alas Men will have to put more premium on how they play.
“That will be our focus, our own games rather than our opponents,” said Dimaculangan, who is head coach of the University of the East volleyball team in the UAAP.
Meanwhile, four-peat seeking Iran starts its campaign against Kyrgyzstan, while AVC Continental Cup champion Japan faces Uzbekistan in Pool A at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park.
China, which was also drawn with Alas and Korea in Pool D, battles Chinese-Taipei at 7 p.m. (PNA)
