Leo Ordiales delivered a breakout performance, but it wasn’t enough to lift Alas Pilipinas Men to victory as they dropped their opening match in the 2025 AVC Men’s Nations Cup to Pakistan in four sets, 18-25, 12-25, 25-18, 22-25, on Tuesday at the Isa Bin Rashid Hall.
The defeat dealt a major blow to the Philippines’ quarterfinal aspirations, placing them in a do-or-die situation against Chinese Taipei on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (Manila time).
Ordiales, a rising star from National University, sparked hope for the Filipinos with a spirited showing after team captain Marck Espejo exited the match due to an awkward landing at the end of the first set. The young outside hitter erupted for 22 points on 15 attacks, five blocks, and two aces, while also tallying four excellent digs in a gutsy effort that kept Alas in the fight.
After being thoroughly outplayed in the first two sets, the Philippines came alive in the third frame behind Ordiales. His offensive explosion gave the team a 21-15 advantage, and a combination of Lloyd Josafat’s clutch play and a Pakistan error sealed the set, cutting the deficit to 1-2.
Carrying that momentum into the fourth, Alas stormed to a quick 5-0 lead with Ordiales, Peng Taguibolos, and Buds Buddin leading the charge. However, Pakistan responded with a momentum-shifting 9-2 run to take a 9-7 lead and never relinquished control.
Still, the Filipinos refused to fold. Trailing 18-22, they mounted one last push, stringing together a 4-1 rally behind Ordiales, Taguibolos, and Buddin to get within two, 22-23. But a clutch hit from Musawer Khan and a successful challenge that overturned Buddin’s potential equalizer sealed the win for Pakistan.
Setter Kasif Naveed ran a smooth and balanced offense for Pakistan, orchestrating plays for the explosive trio of Afaq Khan, Musawer, and Murad Jehan, who each scored 14 points. Murad Khan and Abdul Zaheer added nine and six markers, respectively, as Pakistan opened their campaign on a high note.
Pakistan seized early control in the first set, building an 18-11 lead before Ordiales came off the bench to provide a spark. He keyed a 6-1 run to close the gap to 17-19, but the Pakistanis answered with their own 6-1 burst to secure the set. They then cruised through the second frame, taking a commanding 2-0 advantage.
With Espejo sidelined, head coach Angiolino Frigoni shuffled his lineup in the third set, inserting fresh legs in Eco Adajar, Buddin, Jackson Reed, Jack Kalingking, and Josafat alongside Ordiales. The changes paid off, as the new unit brought renewed energy and disrupted Pakistan’s rhythm.
Despite the promising turnaround in the third set, Alas couldn’t sustain their momentum long enough to force a fifth set, as Pakistan recovered in time to close out the match.
Buddin and Steven Rotter each chipped in 10 points, while Taguibolos and Josafat added five apiece. Espejo, who did not return after the opening frame, was limited to a single point.
Now facing elimination, Alas Pilipinas Men must regroup quickly and deliver a win against Chinese Taipei to stay alive in the tournament.
