Rebisco displayed its finest form to date, but it was still not enough.
The Filipino squad will enter the crossover quarterfinals winless after succumbing to Saipa of Iran in four sets, 24-26, 25-22, 13-25, 17-25. That capped off their 2021 Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship pool play, Sunday at Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Mona Ashofteh, Mahsa Kadkhoda, and Pouran Zare tormented their foes all game long for Saipa. They fired 26, 22, and 11 points, respectively.
On the other hand, Rebisco saw balanced scoring, getting contributions everywhere across the Taraflex.
Photo from SMM
Dindin Santiago-Manabat topscored with 17 points founded on 14 attacks, two blocks, and a service ace. Meanwhile, Faith Nisperos and Mhicaela Belen chimed in eight points apiece.
Photo from SMM
Aby Maraño, who made her first appearance in the tournament, alongside Majoy Baron both managed seven points each.
Given only floor time in a service opportunity in the first set, Eya Laure failed to score there. But given the majority of the fourth period, she tallied four points.
Just like the third, Saipa went on a game-changing run in the ensuing frame. She turned a two-point advantage to a seven-point lead via a 9-4 run to take control, 19-12.
The Filipinas were able to close within five after back-to-back hits from Laure and a Kadkhoda error, 17-22. But then Saipa finished things off with three straight points.
Trailing 6-8, the Iranians launched a huge 19-5 closing blast to pull away. They eventually took the third salvo, 25-13.
Tied at 19, Rebisco’s Kamille Cal, Belen, Baron, Maraño, and Santiago-Manabat joined hands on a 6-3 swing to equalize at one set apiece.
The Philippine contingent held the setpoint 24-23, but Saipa was able to gather three straight points to take the 1-0 set lead.
Rebisco will face Pool A leader Nakhon Ratchasima QminC in the quarterfinals tomorrow, 1:30 PM.
Later that day, other Filipino squad in Choco Mucho will play Pool B second seed Supreme Chonburi at 4:30 PM.
