PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Brazilian head coach Sergio Veloso gambled and lost after the Philippine national men’s volleyball team fell to host Cambodia and got eliminated on Thursday night in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games.
The host spikers carved out a 25-18, 25-18, 25-17 victory over the fancied Filipinos, who even underwent a two-week training camp in Osaka before proceeding to the SEA Games.
It was the Philippines’ second straight loss after defending champion Indonesia won on 4 May.
Veloso said he “introduced new techniques in defense and blocks and it’s difficult to play at that high level.”
Veloso said: “Sometimes when you play at a high level, the pressure, if you continue to do the same mistake, how can you move?”
The Philippines will play Singapore on Saturday at 5 p.m. (6 p.m. Manila time) to end its campaign in Group A before playing in the classification round.
Despite the defeat, Veloso still wasn’t totally sold that his team got whacked.
“Today, Cambodia win, not Philippines lose. It’s a little different. I know the fans want to win, but sometimes, we win, sometimes the opponent win, but every time we need to learn,” Veloso said.
“Our focus in this tournament, not only take a good position but try to do our best, try to do our 110 percent. Improve every day,” he added.
Spikers’ Turf Most Valuable Player Jau Umandal said he admitted he and Manuel Sumanguid had a hard time adjusting after their tryouts in the Korean Volleyball League last April.
Still, he wants to help the team win its remaining games.
“We really lacked in preparing for the SEA Games, especially me and Sumang (Sumanguid) since we were in Korea for eight days,” Umandal said.
“Even if we’re out of the top two of the group, we still have to win, even on the ranking matches.”
