Underdogs for the third straight day, the Philippines Women’s Volleyball Team treated the capacity crowd in the Alonte Sports Arena to a rousing four-set win over South East Asian neighbors Vietnam, 26-24, 25-23, 17-25, 25-23, Monday evening in Laguna.
The hosts debuted a new starting lineup, bringing in Aby Maraño and Maika Ortiz as middle blockers; placing Alyssa Valdez, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Jaja Santiago on the wings; and keeping Kim Fajardo as the setter.
The adjustment took some time to bear fruit, as the Philippines started the match with a flurry of attack errors that gave Vietnam a four-point lead, 17-13. The Vietnamese nearly had the set, leading 23-21, before the locals started their rally. With Fajardo serving, the Philippines piled up back-to-back blocks and forced a deuce. With Vietnam pulling ahead, 25-24, after a Tran Thi Thanh Thuy hit, Valdez responded with a cross-court smash. Setting up her own heroics, Valdez served the last two points, fishing an ace from a dazed Vietnamese receiver to complete the comeback.
The second set mirrored the Philippines’ gutsy late rally. Again falling behind, 21-23, the Philippines rejuvenated their floor defense. Anchoring the run was Valdez who, again, picked apart Vietnam’s reception. After a Jaja Santiago smash gave the Philippines a 24-all deadlock, Valdez finished the job, sneaking in back-to-back aces to give the Philippines a 2-0 sets lead.
The hosts failed to sustain their marvelous energy in the third set. The home crowd grew more silent with every Vietnam point. By the time the Vietnamese had a 17-7 lead, the Alonte Sports Arena and the National Team was fully hushed and craving the next set.
Feeding off a reenergized crowd, the Philippines blitzed their Southeast Asian neighbors in the fourth frame. Consecutive Vietnam errors pushed the locals to a 12-7 lead, forcing the visitors to call a timeout. The hosts faced several strong rallies from Vietnam, but, as the arena barker yelled “Puso”, the National Team left all they had on the court. Jaja Santiago pushed in a crucial hits that kept the Philippines ahead, 23-20. Aiza Maizo then powered in a cut shot for match point, which Alyssa Valdez capped with a finish on a combination play.
“‘Yun ‘yung sinasabing ibang klaseng puso,” declared National Team head coach Francis Vicente.
“‘Yun ‘yung gusto talagang manalo. ‘Yun ‘yung maganda. ‘Yun ‘yung nakikita kong napakagandang resultang nagpapalitan kami ng ideas, binibigyan ko sila ng mga dapat mangyari sa laro kung paano magiging attitude nila,” the tactician furthered.
Valdez and Jaja Santiago finished with tournament-highs 20 and 19 points, respectively.
Vietnam star Tran Thi Thanh Thuy topped her team with 16 points.
The win dug the Philippines out of a two-game rut. Their 1-2 record gives them the third seed in Pool E and they face the 2nd seed in Pool F, Thailand.
The Scores
Philippines (3) – Valdez 20, Santiago 19, Maraño 11, Ortiz 8, Gonzaga 7, Pontillas 3, Fajardo 1, Dimaculangan 0, Molina 0, Macandili (L)
Vietnam (1) – Thuy 16, Hoa 15, Hue 14, Thuy D. 11, Xuan 9, Dao 3, Chi 1, Diem 1, Lien (L)
