Rebisco falls to Iranian squad to open Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship campaign

The Philippines' Rebisco could not shake off the rust as they fell to Iran's Sirjan Foulad in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22, 25-5, to open its 2021 Asian Men's Club Volleyball Championship campaign on Friday in Thailand.

After being down a set, the Filipinos showed some signs of life in the second frame with mainstays Mark Alfafara, Kim Malabunga, and Jao Umandal bringing them to just within two, 22-20.

Umandal then notched back-to-back attacks, 23-22, but two consecutive errors from the Filipinos' side cost them another set, 25-22.

The third set saw Rebisco scoreless until the 9-0 mark before National University standout Nico Almendras converted with an attack, 9-1. The Filipinos could only get on the board again after that through the errors committed by the Iran bets.

The nationals, whose last competition was still in 2019, when they won the silver medal in SEA Games, weren't able to get things going as they missed the services of marquee players Marck Espejo and Bryan Bagunas.

Both Espejo and Bagunas are now preparing for their respective stints in the Japan V. League.

Rebisco will be back on the court on Saturday, October 9, at 11 a.m. against AGMK of Uzbekistan.

The Dante Alinsunurin-led squad is the third Philippine team to compete in the tournament with its women counterparts in Choco Mucho and Rebisco finishing 6th and 7th in the Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship.

—JMB, GMA News