The Philippines bowed to Kazakhstan in straight sets, 26-24, 25-19, 25-15, in the 14th Asian Women’s Under-18 Volleyball Championship, Tuesday at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Center Gymnasium in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
It was the second consecutive defeat of the Jerry Yee-mentored Philippine squad to drop to last place in Group B standings.
The young Pinay spikers were fiery to start the first set as they build a 10-6 edge coming from attacks courtesy of Ana Hermosura.
However, Kazakhstan went on a rally, seizing a 17-12 lead.
The Philippines showed some life behind Kimberly Rubin and Rhose Almendralejo to force deadlocks at 20-20 and 24-24 before suffering miscues on the defensive end.
Kazakhstan set the tone in the second set as they surged to a 4-0 start en route to a 2-0 lead.
Kazakhstan carried the momentum in the third set as they quickly opened up a double-digit lead. The Philippines got consecutive points late in the set but was not enough to overturn the result.
“It was not the result that we are expecting but the girls are learning,” said assistant coach Roberto Calamba Jr. “They are all first-timers on the international stage but they are doing their best to represent the country with respect.”
The Philippines will next face China on Wednesday, followed by Chinese-Taipei on Thursday and Japan on Saturday to close out the Group B games.
