The Philippine Women’s National Team earned their first win of the AVC Seniors Championship for Women, dislodging the young Kazakhstan squad, 25-22, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17, in Thailand.
The Nationals bombarded their young foes throughout the first two sets. Behind solid overall serving and Alyssa Valdez’s offensive exploits, the Filipinas pinned the Kazakhs late in the opening frame, before mustering another late burst in the second set to gain a 2-0 lead.
Faltering on reception, the Philippines fell behind in the third frame, 2-8. They trimmed the lead down to three, 17-20, but ran out of steam as Kazakhstan extended the match.
Just when they seemed headed for another collapse, the Philippines regained form in time, erasing an 11-14 Kazakhstan lead via an 8-1 run to cruise to the win.
The National faced a much different squad from the Kazakhstan side that beat them in the Asian Games just last month.
Valdez and opposite hitter Mylene Paat towed the Philippines’ offense with 16 points apiece.
The Nationals faced a much different squad from the Kazakhstan side that beat them in the Asian Games just last month.
Anastassiya Rostovchsihikova led the Kazakhs with 15 points.
The Philippines end their campaign in Group C with a 1-2 record. They resume play on September 21 in the classification phase.
The Scores
Philippines (3) – Paat 16, Valdez 16, Maraño 10, Cruz 9, Reyes 5, Soltones 4, Morado 2, Nabor 1, Ortiz 1, Pontillas 1, Sato 1, Galanza 0, Gohing (L), Lazaro (L)
Kazakhstan (1) – Rostovchsihikova 15, Sitkazinova 14, Oreyntayeva 7, Kolomoyets 6, Aizharikhova 5, Grokhotova 5, Kostiva 5, Mechshaninova 2, Razorenkova 2, Meister 0, Sarsenbayeva 0, Beket (L)
