Alas Pilipinas duo triumphs over favored Japanese foes

James Buytrago and Ran Abadilla displayed great resilience after a first-set loss to overcome Japanese rivals Yoshi Hasegawa and Dylan Kurokawa, 22-24, 24-22, 15-9, in the ongoing Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championship at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, Laguna on Thursday, November 8.

The Filipino duo rallied from a slow start before sustaining their momentum to seal the game in the decisive third set. 

“We will not simply break down and give up,” said Buytrago. “The first set was extremely challenging and frustrating, but we kept pushing forward. This win was crucial for us.”

Having previously lost against Alani Nicklin and Thomas Hartles of New Zealand, the win was a redemption for Buytrago and Abdilla. The pair's tournament record is now at 1-1 ahead of their match against Thailand’s Netitorn Muneekul and Wachirawit Muadpha.

“We were really tired, but the mindset is to win,” Abadilla added. “There is nothing better than the feeling of winning, but we’re not done here yet, lots of volleyball left to play.”

Meanwhile, the other Alas Pilipinas pair Rancel Varga and Lerry Francisco faced disappointment as they failed to outlast Dunwinit Kaewsai and Banlue Nakprakong of Thailand, 14-21, 19-21.

Varga and Francisco, who were teaming up for the first time, led 15-10 in the second set before eventually collapsing.