FILE–Leo Ordiales (17) and the rest of Alas Pilipinas. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Alas Pilipinas found its form on Wednesday, even with new faces leading the charge.
With Eco Adajar and Leo Ordiales stepping in, the Philippines cruised to a 25-17, 25-23, 25-19 win over Vietnam in the Southeast Asian V.League at Candon City Arena.
READ: Injuries test Alas Pilipinas depth at SEA VLeague
Adajar, playing his first full match after first-choice setter Owa Retamar fell ill just hours before game time, ran the offense with control.
“It’s the same game plan, whoever is called,” Adajar said. “There was not much adjustment for us, especially since I have been working closely with Leo in training.”
Ordiales, his training partner, became the natural scoring option in the absence of Marck Espejo, who was out with an ankle sprain, and Louie Ramirez, who missed the opener to attend his graduation.
“I also keep in mind that the reason coaches call your number is that they expect you to deliver,” Adajar said. “And we are always prepared to deliver, not just me, it’s the whole squad.”
Ordiales delivered 20 points, all on attacks, while Buds Buddin added 16 and Jade Disquitado had nine in the one-hour, 13-minute win.
Nguyen Ngoc Thuan paced Vietnam with 13 points. Van Hiep Pham and Tran Duy Tuyen had seven each.
Vietnam bounced back Thursday with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 win over Cambodia, tallying 11 blocks to Cambodia’s five in a one-hour, 27-minute match.
Ramirez returned Thursday against Thailand. Retamar was also back in harness for the showdown against the defending double gold medalist.
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The Philippines takes a break on Friday before facing Cambodia on Saturday and Indonesia on Sunday.