Reminiscent of its campaign in the opening leg, the Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team settled for another bronze medal finish in the ASEAN Grand Prix on Sunday.
Despite enduring a torrid start then surging forward late, the Nationals couldn’t complete a comeback against Indonesia, 21-25, 17-25, 25-22, 21-25, in the second leg of the regional meet at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
Fueled by the troika of Ratri Wulandari, Megawati Hangestri Perti, and Arsela Nuari Purnama, the Indonesians raced out of the gates with searing momentum. Their precise execution at the net punished the reception of the Filipinas, mounting a 20-14 edge in the opening set.
Jovelyn Gonzaga though pumped life to the comeback bid of the Nationals, who knocked to within two at 19-21. But Nuari Purnama restored order for Indonesia, taking matters into her own hands to snatch an early buffer.
Refusing to give way, the Philippine delegates fought tooth-and-nail at the early juncture of the second frame. Indonesia, however, caught fire once again as it churned out an offensive barrage to erect another 20-14 cushion.
In an attempt to tip the scales back to their favor, Majoy Baron roamed fiercely at the net. The reigning Best Middle Blocker of the opening leg roofed Wulandari and Hangestri Perti on separate sequences, keeping the host country within striking distance, 17-21.
Unfortunately, the scoring run of the tricolor squad was short-lived, as the prolific scoring duo of Wulandari and Hangestri Perti put up the crucial blows that shoved the Philippines down a two-set mire.
Still, the Filipina spikers displayed composure in the face of danger, disrupting the overwhelming pace of Indonesia.
Ces Molina hammered down the momentum-swinging hit in the third set, inciting a spirited 5-0 stampede for a 20-15 lead. Though the Indonesians gave the Philippines a huge scare late in the set, the offensive exploits of Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado, and Maddie Madayag provided the latter a lease on life.
However, the Indonesians swiftly brushed aside the hiccup in the previous stanza to seize control once again. They sprinted to a commanding 23-20 lead before Hangestri Perti and Indonesia skipper Amalia Fajrina Nabila delivered the final blows.
Gonzaga — who flew from Iloilo along with Valdez, Morado, and Madayag to bolster the squad in the all-important affair — finished with a double-double of 14 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Though in a losing cause, the battle-tested tandem of Valdez and Morado still ignited the home crowd. Valdez fired four service aces en route to 13 markers and collected 18 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Morado orchestrated the offense to the tune of 22 excellent sets laced with five points, a pair of which coming from blocks.
Molina, on the other hand, continued to be a force on the offensive end for the Nationals. She supplied nine markers to go along with seven excellent receptions. Madayag, one of the crowd favorites, proved to be a spark off the bench with seven points.
Mylene Paat and Baron chimed in six markers apiece. The latter tallied three of her points from blocks for the Philippines, as Dawn Macandili manned the floor with 17 excellent digs.
On the other hand, Hangestri Pertiwi exploded for 26 points built on 21 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. She spearheaded the charge for Indonesia, which duplicated its first runner-up finish during the opening leg.
Purnama nailed down 15 kills to finish with 17 points. Meanwhile, Wulandari flaunted her all-around brilliance, chipping in 12 markers, 11 excellent digs, and 11 excellent receptions.
