The Philippine men’s volleyball team expressed guarded optimism when it sees action in the 10-day 15th Asian Senior Men’s Volleyball Championship starting on Saturday in two different venues.

Except perhaps for Myanmar, the Filipino will have to exert extra effort in beating Kazakhstan and Taiwan – the other teams in their bracket.

“Kaya naman naming makipagsabayan pagdating sa skills, pero bago pa itong team at first international exposure namin ito this year kaya guarded din kami,” said RP team captain Dante Alinsunurin during Tuesday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue branch.

Alinsunurin, who played for the RP team before, said their rivals enjoy slight edge in height and experience.

Taiwan and Kazakhstan finished eighth and 10th overall in the previous edition last year.

The RP team, which was only formed last March under coach Sammy Acaylar, will meet first Myanmar on September 26 then Kazakhstan on September 28, and Taiwan on September 30 – all will be held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Other matches shall be held at the San Andres gym.

Bracketed in Group B are Japan, India, Thailand and Indonesia while Group C is composed of Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam and Iran. South Korea and Australia lead Group D along with Maldives, Qatar and Lebanon.

Defending champion Australia hopes to make it two in a row, but Japan and South Korea are expected to give the Aussies strong challenge.

The tournament, according Philippine Volleyball Federation Otie Camangian, will be used by the RP team as its barometer in its forthcoming stint in the Laos SEA Games this December.

“This is also our developmental program for our athletes. This will gauge their strength, and the key to victory here is that they will play it with pride,” Camangian said.