By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Games Monday
(Philsports Arena)
1 p.m. – Singapore vs Thailand
3 p.m. – Vietnam vs Indonesia
6 p.m. – Philippines vs Cambodia
The Philippine men’s volleyball team begins its medal quest in the 30th Southeast Asian Games when competition fires off today at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Nationals take on the Cambodia at 6 p.m. with everybody hoping they can start their campaign on a bright note before an expected crowd in this volleyball-savvy country.
The PH spikers, however, are expected to have their hands full in the group stage where they are bracketed in Pool B with 2017 Kuala Lumpur silver medalist Indonesia and bronze winner Vietnam.
Pool A has perennial champion Thailand, Myanmar, Singapore and Timor Leste.
Defending champion Thais raise the curtain when they clash with Singapore at 1 p.m. followed by Vietnam and Indonesia at 3 p.m.
PH team coach Dante Alinsunurin hopes their 11-day training camp in Japan a month ago will pay off to eclipse the country’s sixth-place finish in the previous edition.
The training camp was aimed at improving the team’s cohesion and system.
Johnvic De Guzman spearheads the squad composed of Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Ran Abdilla, Mark Alfafara, Joshua Umandal, Ish Polvorosa, Kim Malabunga, Francis Saura, Rex, Intal, Ricky Marck and Jack Kalingking.
After Cambodia, the Nationals collide with Vietnam on Wednesday, then Indonesia on Friday.
Only the Top 2 teams from each group will advance in the semifinals slated Dec. 8 with the championship round scheduled on Dec. 10.
Meanwhile, the celebrated PH women’s volleyball team takes center stage tomorrow when they face 2017 bronze winner Vietnam in the round-robin match.
Only four teams are competing in the women’s division also composed of reigning champion Thailand and silver medalist Indonesia.
After Vietnam, the PH volleybelles meet Thailand on Thursday then Indonesia on Saturday.