Latest news with #StevenRotter
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Alas Pilipinas loses steam vs. Indonesia to open SEA V. League Leg 2 run
Alas Pilipinas Men ran out of steam in a five-set showdown against home team Indonesia, absorbing a 19-25, 25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 8-15 loss to open their campaign at the 2025 SEA Leg 2 on Wednesday. The Filipinos made a late run in the fourth set, but faltered in the final frame to go 0-1 in the second leg while the hosts were off to a 1-0 start in front of their home crowd. Down 19-23 in the fourth frame, the visiting Filipinos unleashed a 4-0 run capped by a block from the tandem of Steven Rotter and Peng Taguibolos as they cut the deficit to one, 22-23. Rivan Nurmulki and Hendra Kurniawan then provided the last two points on an attack and block, respectively, to drag the Philippines to a deciding fifth set. Fahri Septian Putratrama then single-handedly lifted the two-time SEA gold medalist Indonesia in the fifth frame, scoring three service aces as part of a 5-0 start which he eventually stretched to a 9-3 cushion with an attack. The Philippines tried to make some runs with Eco Adajar going for a one-two dunk, but Indonesia quickly answered with a 3-0 blast to mount a 13-5 advantage. Jade Disquitado unloaded an ace to close out another desperate 3-0 rampage from the Filipinos, but Putratama finished what he had started as he sealed the victory with an opposite kill and another ace. Alas, which settled for a fourth-place finish during Leg 1 in Candon City, will take on Cambodia next on Friday while Indonesia faces Vietnam on Thursday. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Alas Men survive New Zealand to close out AVC Nations Cup run in 10th place
Alas Pilipinas Men won't be going home empty-handed after eking out a 25-16, 23-25, 25-11, 25-22 win against New Zealand in their battle for 10th spot in the AVC Men's Nations Cup on Tuesday in Bahrain. The four-set escape marked the Filipinos' first victory in the 11-nation tournament as they went winless in the elimination round and bowed to Thailand in the classification phase. Opposite hitter Steven Rotter led the charge with 20 points anchored on 17 attacks, two aces, and one block laced with seven digs while outside spikers Louie Ramirez and Marck Espejo chipped in 14 markers apiece. After splitting the first two sets, the Philippines surged ahead in a dominant Set 3, with Ramirez leading the charge and firing an ace that extended Alas' lead to 17-8 before Espejo completed a combination play for a 24-11 cushion. New Zealand then committed one of its 31 errors, allowing the Philippines to move a set away from winning it. A Lloyd Josafat quick attack saw Alas taking a 20-15 advantage in the crucial Set 4, but the world no. 66 New Zealand staged a rally courtesy of a 5-1 rampage capped by a service ace from Seth Grant, 20-21. Espejo, though, stopped the bleeding for Alas by unloading back-to-back attacks from the left side while middle blocker Peng Taguibolos punctuated it with a quick play. Taguibolos finished with seven points while veteran setter Joshua Retamar and Josafat each tallied four markers. Grant top-scored New Zealand with 13 points on 10 attacks, two aces, and one block while Andrew Salmon chimed in with 12 markers as they finished last in the contest. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
