Alas Pilipinas fell to Asian champions Indonesia in straight sets, 25-20, 25-23, 27-25, on Friday at the SEA V Cup — but for coach Angiolino Frigoni, the scoreline told only part of the story.

“We are not here to win, we are here to improve,” Frigoni said after the loss, brushing aside any notion that a rebuilding Philippine squad should be judged by wins and losses this early in its campaign.

Indonesia, freshly crowned Asian Volleyball Confederation Men’s Cup champion last month, needed just an hour and a half to hold off a late Philippine surge and advance to the semifinals at the Candon City Arena. The result sends Indonesia through as the top team in Pool A with a 2-0 record, while the Philippines drops into the classification round to face Myanmar, the bottom finisher in Pool B, for fifth and sixth place.

Fauzan, Arabi Lead Indonesia’s Balanced Attack

Rama Fazza Fauzan and Boy Arnez Arabi spearheaded Indonesia’s win. Fauzan finished with 13 points built on 11 attacks, a block, and an ace, while Arabi added 11 points, all from attacks, as Indonesia controlled the match despite a spirited Philippine push in the closing stages.

Thailand also advanced out of Pool A with a 2-0 record, with Vietnam finishing second at 1-1. Cambodia moved on to the semifinals as well, closing pool play at 1-1.

Frigoni Sees Progress in a Rebuilt Roster

For the Philippines, Friday’s loss marked their second straight defeat as they enter the classification phase of the SEA V Cup — but Frigoni made clear that results were never the primary measuring stick for a squad that only began training together in mid-May.

The current roster carries just four holdovers from the team that competed in last year’s FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship: Louie Ramirez, Josh Ybanez, Lloyd Josafat, and Vince Lorenzo. In their place, newcomers Joshua Magalaman and Jude Garcia have stepped up in back-to-back matches, leading the Philippines with 13 and 10 points, respectively, against Indonesia.

“I’m very proud of this team, because they fought for every point,” Frigoni said.

The Italian coach was equally direct in downplaying expectations for the Asian Games, now just two months away, insisting his focus remains fixed on the present rather than a distant tournament.

“When I go to a tournament, my goal is this tournament. And my goal was not to win this tournament, my goal is to improve this team. And we had the opportunity to play against Indonesia, which is the champion of the AVC,” Frigoni said.

“For us, almost all of them on their first international experience, is very good. We improved. I hope that we continue to improve and play better and better, that’s my goal,” he added. “Asian Games is in two months, we will see what will happen.”

Alas Pilipinas will next face Myanmar in the classification round as the SEA V Cup moves toward its final placements.