Coming off a huge setback against the host nation, Alas Pilipinas Girls rebounded strongly with a 25-16, 25-23, 21-25, 25-19 win over Australia.
They stay in the hunt for a spot in the final of the 22nd Princess Cup SEA U18 Women’s Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium in Thailand.
The Filipinas continued to stay level with Indonesia for second to third place with a 3-1 record.
The Philippines and Indonesia will close out their preliminary schedules against each other tomorrow at 12:30 PM (Manila time) for a ticket to the championship round.
Thailand (3-0) looks to be on its way to the final as it will tangle with winless Singapore later today at 5:30 PM.
Kimberly Rubin remained Alas’ brightest ace, while Lianne Penuliar and captain Harlyn Serneche provided crucial contributions as well.
Just when Australia fought back in the fourth, it shot itself in the foot with untimely errors.
Rubin, Serneche, and Avril Bron then scored important points for the Philippines’ third victory.
The Filipinas showed their resilience in the second set when the Australians took a 23-19 lead through the efforts of 6-foot-4 middle blocker Anni Tang and 6-foot-3 opposite hitter Lara Maric.
Serneche played hero ball by logging three straight points, followed by Avril Bron’s brilliant ace to tie the game at 23.
Tang then committed a costly attack error as her shot fell short before Denesse Daylisan completed the fightback with a through-the-block kill for a commanding 2-0 set lead for Alas.
The Philippines tried to emulate its comeback in the second set in the third, but Chelsea Cocks, Hilary Hannagan, and Milla Greber did not allow it, extending the match for the Aussies, 25-21.
