When a silver medal feels like the gold

Winning the silver medal in the 30th Southeast Asian Games felt like claiming the gold, the Philippine men’s volleyball team members said after capping their historic stint Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Regardless of its color, the silver medal glittered for the nationals even after yielding to Indonesia in the gold medal match 25-21, 27-25, 25-17.

“Masasabi namin na sobrang tamis kahit hindi namin nakuha yung gold medal dahil siguro ito na yung binigay ni God sa’min na mas mataas pa doon sa ine-expect namin na makukuha namin ngayon. Siguro ang mas masarap sa pakiramdam is yung suporta ng lahat ng Pilipino,” skipper John Vic de Guzman said.

“Sobrang saya kasi naka-silver kami at nakagawa kami ng history dito sa men’s volleyball and sana magtuluytuloy lang itong samahan namin,” Kim Malabunga echoed.

The nationals tried to keep up with the powerful attacks and relentless defense of the best team in the region by keeping the first two sets close but the Indonesians were in a class of their own.

For Marck Espejo, who led the PH team with 15 points on 14 attacks and 16 receptions, Indonesia just capitalized on their strengths.

“Yung Indonesia talaga ang ginamit nila height and power and siguro mas lamang sila sa experience,” Espejo said.

“Pero para sa akin panalo pa rin yung men’s volleyball team kasi ang layo na ng narating ng sport na ‘to sa Pilipinas. Nagsimula kami sa UAAP na bilang mo lang yung mga tao, hope we became instruments to inspire the younger generation,” added middle blocker Rex Intal.