At A Glance
- Just two days before the official opening ceremony of the continental meet, the Filipinos were quickly sent packing by the Japanese squad in a sweeping statement. <br>
The Philippine men’s volleyball team bowed out of contention in the 19th Asian Games after a 19-25, 14-25, 23-25 defeat at the hands of Japan’s Team B at the Dequing Sports Centre Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Just two days before the official opening ceremony of the continental meet, the Filipinos were quickly sent packing by the Japanese squad in a sweeping statement.
After ending a 49-year drought with a historic Asiad win over Afghanistan a day prior, the inspired Philippine side’s run has come to an end with a 1-2 record in the group stage.
Fil-Am spiker Steven Rotter stepped up with 13 points highlighted by 12 attacks for the Filipinos in the losing cause.
Meanwhile, longtime national team duo Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo had 10 and eight points, respectively, as their spirited third-set run that even led to a 22-21 advantage wasn’t enough to scramble Japan’s defense and force an extension by any means.
It also doesn’t help that the Asian Games doesn’t have a classification round, ending the Filipinos’ campaign for good in this edition of the tournament.
The Japanese side delivered a balanced effort as Akito Yamazaki tallied 11 points, while Hiroto Nishiyama and Masahito Yanagida had 10 and nine points, respectively.