Marck Espejo of Alas Pilipinas in action against Hyundai Capital Skywalkers of South Korea in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals, June 11, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. Handout/PNVF
MANILA -- The Philippines improved to 2-0 in the 2025 Alas Pilipinas Invitationals after turning back the Hyundai Capital Skywalkers in four sets, Wednesday night at the Araneta Coliseum.
Skipper Marck Espejo led the way in Alas Pilipinas' 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20 victory over the South Korean squad, who were coming off a championship run in the 2024–25 V-League season.
Espejo fired 20 points on 17 attacks, two aces and a block to lead the way in the Philippines' second win.
The Alas Men showed their poise in the closing stretch of the third and fourth sets, making the clutch plays to deny the Skywalkers' attempts at a comeback.
"During the game, sabi ko na win or lose, basta makita ang progress namin," said Espejo. "Hopefully, mabawasan yung service errors and ma-polish pa yung mga kailangan naming gawin na mga fast plays."
"Marami pa naman, malayo pa, at marami pa kaming kayang gawin," he also said.
Alas matched the record of Thailand, which earlier swept Indonesian champions Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, 25-20, 26-24, 25-19.
Khonhan Amornthep led the way for Thailand with 16 points on 15 kills and an ace against the two-time Indonesian Proliga champions after a 19-point performance in Thailand’s four-set win over South Korean club Hyundai Capital Skywalkers.
Chaiwat Thungkham had 12 attacks and an ace and a block for 14 points, the same points output as 6-foot-8 Kissada Nilsawai as the Thais won in an hour and 15 minutes, improving to 2-0 in the four-team tournament.
Kissada scored six of the Thai team’s 12 block points.
The Thai squad takes on host Alas Pilipinas on the final day of the invitationals.
Arjuna Mahendra showed the way for Jakarta with 16 points on 14 attacks and two aces.
Agil Angga Anggara had 11 points on 10 attacks and a block.