Alas Pilipinas Men pushed Southeast Asian rival Indonesia to its limits but couldn’t secure its first Asian Games classification win, falling 23-25, 26-24, 22-25, 21-25 on Thursday at Park Arena Komaki.
Alas stayed within striking distance in each set, but former SEA Games champion held its nerve, with Boy Arnez Arabi leading the way with 20 points.
Fauzan Nibras chipped in 17 kills on 13 kills, three blocks, and an ace for Indonesia, which faces Vietnam on Friday.
Alas, which had a winless Pool D campaign, meanwhile, eyes to bounce back against Uzbekistan on Friday as the classification phase continues.
Leo Ordiales led Alas with 13 points off 11 kills and two aces, while Marck Espejo chipped in 11 points.
Buds Buddin made the most of his extended playing time with 11 points, while team captain and leading scorer Bryan Bagunas played sparingly as a service specialist.
Jude Garcia also played his best Asian Games outing yet with 10 points.
Indonesia was a point away from taking the second set at 24-23, but Joshua Magalaman saved a set point to force deuce before Owa Retamar blocked Arabi to give Alas the lead. Espejo then sealed the set with an ace to tie the match at one set apiece.
But Alas couldn’t seize the momentum, dropping the next two sets to remain winless in four games in Nagoya.