Qatar's Al-Arabi downs Rebisco in Asian Volleyball Club Championship

Philippine team Rebisco fell to Qatar's Al-Arabi Sports Club in straight sets, 25-19, 25-15, 25-19, in the preliminary rounds of the Asian Men's Volleyball Club Championship in Thailand on Sunday.

Al-Arabi waxed hot early in the third set and led 8-2, which was enough springboard for them to take the win against the 2019 Southeast Asian Games silver medalists.

The national team cut their deficit to at least five late in the set, with Jao Umandal even saving a match point. However, Al-Arabi showed their championship form and eventually took the match.

In the first set, Al-Arabi turned a 20-16 lead to a 23-17 cushion to take control of the match early. Philippine team captain John Vic de Guzman saved a set point, but the Qatar club eventually took the set, 25-19.

In the second set, Rebisco stayed close to Al-Arabi, 15-12, before the Qatar club pulled away and never looked back on the Philippine team.

Umandal was the bright spot in the match after making 17 points, with eight points all from the third set. JP Bugaoan added seven points while De Guzman had five.

Felipe Bandero led Al-Arabi with 21 points, while Renan Ribeiro had nine and Jumah Faraj made seven points.

Rebisco fell to 0-3 after they lost to Iran's Sirjan Foulad last Friday and Uzbekistan's AGMK on Saturday.

Rebisco will be back in action on Monday against Thailand's Diamond Food.

—MGP, GMA News