THE Philippines’ Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton swept Lebanon’s Paul Bou Aki and Joe El Azzi, 21-16, 21-17, to keep its hopes alive of advancing to the men’s Finals of the AVC Continental Cup in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand yesterday.

Taking over the spot from Krung Arbasto, Garcia’s original partner, Requinton delivered the goods in the golden match for the Filipinos, who are seeded fourth in the five-team semifinals.

With the second set hanging in the balance at 17-17, Garcia and Requinton scored back-to-back kills before Bou Akl committed successive errors to give the Philippines the hard-earned win.

“Yung Lebanon, hindi po bumitaw agad. Pukpukan talaga ang laban sa golden match,” said the 20-year old Requinton. “Palakasan na lang ng pride. Pusong Pinoy, mananalo talaga tayo.”

Arbasto suffered severe cramps and had to be replaced by Requinton by coach Rhovyl Verayo.

Hurdling the first of three must-win matches to make it to next week’s Finals, the Philippines is playing top-ranked Australia as of posting time.

Second seed Japan, earlier eliminated No. 3 Kazahkstan via a two-match sweep to move closer in progressing to the eight-team Finals.

Cool and calculated under pressure, Garcia and Arbasto rallied from four points down in the deciding set to beat Akl and Salba Chafix, 16-21, 21-18, 18-16, and level at 1-1.

The Lebanese, who are seeded fifth in the tournament, first reached match point, 14-10, before Garcia and Arbasto willed their way to a come-from-behind victory with splendid coverage and well-placed balls.

Lebanon actually drew first blood, as Chedid and El Azzi fashioned out a 21-19, 21-19 win over Requinton and James Buytrago.

The finals is set on June 24, with Continental Cup women’s and men’s champion clinching the lone Tokyo Olympics berths.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado