Philippine-Rebisco starts bid in Asian club joust

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine men’s volleyball team carrying the banner of Rebisco will try to do better than its women counterpart when it sees action in the Asian Men’s Club Championship unfurling tomorrow in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalist under coach Dante Alinsunurin arrived in Thailand last Tuesday, just in time for the weeklong event that drew 10 club teams from the region.

The Nationals are minus stalwarts Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas, who are both in Japan suiting up as imports for Tokyo and Oita Miyoshi, respectively, in the V. League.

But Alinsunurin said the team remains focused on their goal – to compete and make the country proud and soothe the heartbreak caused by the embarrassing stints of Rebisco and Choco Mucho in the Asian Women’s Club Championship also in Korat.

Rebisco (0-3) and Choco Mucho (0-2) were playing each other in relegation play at press time.

“We always focus on team effort every game,” said Alinsunurin. “It is very important for us to compete to sustain the gains of our men’s volleyball program.”

Rebisco is grouped in Pool A with Foolad Sirjan of Iran, Al-Arabi of Qatar, Diamond Food of Thailand and AGMK of Uzbekistan.

Pool B is composed of Nakhon Ratchasima QminC of Thailand, CEB of Sri Lanka, Burevestnic of Almaty, Kazma of Kuwait and South Gas of Iraq.