MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has never beaten Thailand in men’s volleyball in the Southeast Asian Games, much less make the finals in the last 42 years.

However, the men’s volleyball squad accomplished what was billed as “next-to-impossible” goals:  they dethroned the Thais in five grueling,  tension-filled sets, 17-25, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 17-15, in their semifinals match on Sunday to reach the finals for the first time in a long, long while.

And in today’s (Tuesday) finals, Indonesia stands in the way of the Filipinos’ ultimate wish list, which is to be finally crowned champions in the regional meet after decades of futility.

Former UAAP volleyball stars Mark Espejo, Bryan Bagunas,  Kim Malabunga, Joshua Retamar, Ranran Abdilla, Rex Intal and libero Ricky Marcos stood their ground against the more experienced and taller Thais, dragging their opponents to a fifth set after trailing, 1-2 in the first three frames.

Almost given up for lost after falling behind by as many as four points late in the set and staring at three match points, the nationals found a way to fight back, thanks to timely bombardments from former NU Bulldogs teammates Bagunas and Malabunga.

Bagunas was a monster hitter, but Malabunga repeatedly turned back Thai attackers with his rock-solid net defense.

The nationals fought the Thais on even terms in the deciding fifth set, and when Thailand retook the lead, 15-14 after the Filipinos forced a deuce, 14-14, the nationals scored three straight points – an emphatic block from Malabunga, a down-the-line hit from Intal and a bazooka-like spike from Bagunas off a broken play – which finally ended the match and sealed a finals seat for the Filipinos.

The win triggered a wild celebration on the Philsports Arena court, and fans at the gallery erupted in joy.

“I’m happy, I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now,” Philippines head coach Dante Alinsunurin later said in Filipino. (LO/IAMIGO/CNS)