Alyssa Valdez finally saw action as the Philippine women’s national volleyball team punched its ticket to the 32nd Southeast Asian Games’ semifinals after sweeping Singapore, 25-17, 25-14, 25-13 at the Indoor Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Tuesday night.
The Filipinas have secured the second seed in Group B with a 2-1 win-loss standing. They trail the 2-0 Vietnam, who will take on host Cambodia later in the day.
Valdez subbed in for middle blocker Dell Palomata with the Filipinas ahead, 19-13, in the first set. She was brought out a few plays later as the Philippines took a 25-17 set one win.
The Philippines stepped on the gas pedal in the second set, bagging a lopsided 25-14 win en route to a quick 2-0 advantage over the Singaporeans.
In the third frame, the Filipinas wasted no time in dispatching Singapore, leading by as much as 10 points before a Jema Galanza down the line hit put the Philippines ahead by 11, 24-13.
Valdez then replaced Galanza and scored the match-winning point for the Filipinas.
The Philippines will take on either Thailand or Indonesia on Saturday. They are looking to end an 18-year podium drought in the regional meet.
