Rebisco dropped its first assignment against a tough foe in the 2021 Asian Club Volleyball Championships on Friday, October 8 at Terminal 21 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Iranian Super League Champion Sirjan Foulad overpowered Rebisco in straight sets, 25-15, 25-22, 25-5, in the opening game of the men's tournament.
Bannered John Vic de Guzman and Rex Intal, Rebisco struggled defensively against the veteran squad that was powered by 2021 Asian Volleyball Championships MVP Saber Kazemi.
Sirjan Foulad cruised to a 10-point lead, 22-12, in the opening set of Pool B action as the Iranians easily sealed the first frame, 25-15.
Rebisco, though, showed signs of life in the second set as the Philippine squad stayed within striking distance of the Iranians early.
Though a 4-0 run allowed the Iranians to pull away to a 14-8 lead, Rebisco leaned on Jao Umandal to cut its deficit to just a point late in the second frame, 22-23.
But Sirjan Foulad nabbed set point, and a wide attack by Umandal gave the Iranian team a 2-0 lead in the match.
Instead of sustaining their fighting form in the next frame, the Filipinos folded as Sirjan Foulad made quick work of Rebisco in the third set, blanking them with a 9-0 start.
The Iranians continued to drub Rebisco and only gave away two points to service errors as the Filipinos absorbed a woeful 25-5 set loss to cap off their opening game in the continental tournament.
Rebisco will aim to bounce back as it faces Uzbekistan's AGMK on Saturday, October 9.
