The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team finished seventh out of 11 nations in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup after beating Uzbekistan, 25-14, 13-25, 25-18, 25-18, in the classification round on Sunday at the Tridharma Petrokimia Gresik in East Java, Indonesia.
AC Miner and Faith Nisperos sparked the Philippines breakaway in the first frame, scoring half of the country’s eight straight points that turned a 6-all deadlock into a huge 14-6 lead all the way to a dominant start, 25-14.
All of a sudden, everything clicked for the Uzbeks from service, attacking, and net defense as they pulled away from a 10-all line to a 25-13 strong equalizer in the second set.
The Nationals regained their form in the third stanza, though, with Shaya Adorador, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Ezra Madrigal, and Nisperos all contributing for another huge rally midway to move a set away from the win, 25-18.
Through the efforts of Zarnigora Askarova, Ezozakhon Sativoldiyeva, and Malikakhon, Uzbekistan stayed within striking distance of the Philippines in the fourth set but Pontillas, Adorador, and Madrigal steadied the ship to clinch seventh place.
Philippines head coach Jorge Souza de Brito tweaked his starting lineup for the first time, going with Michelle Cobb in the setter position instead of Djanel Cheng.
The Nationals defeated Macau, Uzbekistan, and India, while losing to Indonesia, Australia, and Iran in the one-week tournament.
