The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The Philippines, represented by seven-time UAAP champion National University, put up a brave stand before losing to Colombia, 16-25, 14-25, 24-26, in the 2025 FISU World University Games men’s volleyball competitions at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum here Saturday.
Mac Arvin Bandola and Jan Llanfred Abanilla kept the FIlipino flag flying high against the taller and more-experienced Colombians, scoring eight points each.
Leo Aringo and Jenngerard Arnfranz Diao also stepped up for the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored Bulldogs as they added four points each in a losing effort.
Jhon Edwin Murillo Delgado was an unstoppablle force for Colombia as he finished with 15 points.
Juan Pablo Colorado Estrada and Jose David Osorio scored nine points each.
Last Friday, the Filipinos dropped their opening-day assignment to Poland, 17-25, 16-25, 21-25, slso at the Horst-Korber Sportzentrum
Abanilla topscored for the Filipinos with 12 points.
Aringo and Mac Bandola added 10 kills each in a losing effort for the Filipinos.
Middle blockers Jenngerard Arnfranz Diao Herbert Miguel Egge had three points each.
Leading the charge for Poland are Aliaksei Nasevich with 10 points, Antoni Kwasigroch with nine points, Remigiusz Kapica and Michal Gierzot with eight points each and Daniel Popiela with seven.
The Filipinos conclude their Group C assignment against another winless team, Argentina, on Saturday
The Argentinians also dropped their first two matches to Colombia and Poland.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the eight-team quarterfinal round scheduled on July 21.
The semis will be played on July 22, and the finals on July 23.
Elsewhere:
– The Philippines, represented by NCAA champion Mapua University, will open its campaign in the men’s basketball tournament against Brazil at 8 p.m. Saturday ( 2 a.m. Sunday, Manila time).
The Randy Alcantara- mentored Cardinals will be bannered by NCAA MVP Clint Escamis and the “Twin Towers” of 6-8 Drex John Leir Delos Reyes and 6-6 Mark Andrei Igliane.
But Brazil, which finished a fighting second to Czech Republic in the 2021 edition in Chengdu Universiade, will be a tough nut to crack in the 16-team tournament
– Table tennis action kicks off at the Messe Essen Halle 1 with University of Cebu representing the country.
Kristienne Alicaya will take on Wong Hoi Tung of Hong Kong in the women’s singles and Rafael Misa will meet Jacub Zlinka of Slovakia and Andrie Caballes will battle Kalid Al Shareif of Saudi Arabia in the men’s singles..
– Thomas Neo Gatdula and Ma. Althea Ladiana of La Salle-Dasmarinas strut their wares inthe badminton competition starting July 22.
Accompanying the badminton players is La Salle-Dasmarinas official Gerry Sergio.
FESSAP president Edwin C. Fabro, chairman Alvin Tai Lian and head of delegation Frank Lao are expected to watch the game and show their support to the Filipino team.
The Filipinos’ campaign is supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Philippine Airlines, Bestank, Healthy Options, OMNI Electrical and Lighting, LT Group Inc., Kelme Sportswear, Henn Athletic Club, Burlington Socks, Paddocks Casual Jeans, Seascape Village, and Lime Resort Hotel.