The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team showed some fight but still bowed to host Indonesia in straight sets, 17-25, 20-25, 10-25, as they entered the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup quarterfinals as the Pool A second seed on Tuesday night at the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gresik Gymnasium in East Java.
The Philippines stayed competitive with the Indonesians in the early parts of the first set, tied at 14-all. However, the latter proved to be too strong with Megawati Hangestri and Mediol Yoku taking charge, giving them the upper hand with a score of 25-17.
Faith Nisperos and Aiza Maizo-Pointillas led the Philippines’ comeback in the second set, turning a 14-20 deficit into just a one-point difference, 19-20. They also received some assistance from their opponents with two errors, an attack miscue, and a centerline fault. Nevertheless, Megawati showcased her lethal form once again as Indonesia finished the set with a 5-1 run, securing a commanding 2-0 lead with a score of 25-20.
In the third set, it was all Indonesia from the beginning as the host team cruised to an early 10-3 lead and eventually won the set with a score of 25-10.
The Filipinos could only come as close as five points, as their own errors, combined with the relentless attacks from the Indonesians, repeatedly thwarted their attempts at a comeback.
Megawati led the game with 13 points, eight of which she scored in the second set, while Medi Yoku followed closely with 11 points. Captain Wilda Nurfadilah and substitute Hany Budiarti also made their presence felt, contributing eight and seven points, respectively.
Pontillas contributed nine points for the Philippines, despite not playing a single possession in the third set. Nisperos provided support with eight points, while Shaya Adorador had seven.
Middle blockers AC Miner and Ezra Madrigal, who impressed in their first game, were limited to just four and three points, respectively.
The Indonesians finished first in Pool A after defeating Macau on Sunday as well.
The Philippines maintained the same starting lineup as their previous victory against Macau, fielding in setter Djanel Cheng, wing spikers Nisperos, Pontillas, and Adorador, middle blockers Madrigal and Miner, and libero Bang Pineda.
The Nationals will begin the quarterfinals tomorrow at 5:30 pm (Manila time) against Pool C leader India. They will have Thursday off before facing Australia on Friday.
