THE Philippines’ Jayrack De La Noche and Alexander Iraya gave United States’ Matt Gentry and Phillip Catanzaro some fits before dropping a 14-21, 21-19, 8-15 decision Thursday the FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships in Phuket, Thailand.
Ranged against a tall American side, De La Noche and Iraya, quarterfinalists in the 4th Asian U21 Beach Volleyball Championships in Nakhon Pathom last July, were able to force to a third set, but the Filipinos succumbed to tremendous pressure in the decider.
De La Noche and Iraya, who opening their campaign with a 21-16, 21-11 win over Canada’s Josh Gagnon and Colby Nemeth Wednesday, drop to 1-1 in Pool G.
Still very much in the hunt for a Round of 24 berth, De La Noche and Iraya will face Hungary’s Csanad Petik and Domonkos Doczi at 10:40 a.m. (Manila time) Friday, as a victory will give the Negrense pair a spot in the knockout stage.
Petik and Doczi carved a 21-16, 21-10 victory over Canada’s Josh Gagnon and Colby Nemeth to tie the Filipinos in second place at 1-1.
The Americans, who defeated the Hungarians on opening day, shoot for a three-match sweep of their pool against the winless Canadians at 10:40 a.m. (Manila time) on Friday.
De La Noche and Iraya are now ranked No. 301 in world after their respectable showing in the U19 competitions last week.
The Filipinos were fielded in the tournament by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, Asics and Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.