The young Philippine women’s national volleyball team showed a lot of fight but still fell in four sets against host Vietnam, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 9-25, in their opening match of the 2023 Southeast Asia V.League campaign at the packed Vinh Phuc Hall on Friday evening.
Alyssa Solomon was on another level in the second set, scoring points from both the pipe and the front while receiving significant help from Bella Belen, Chams Maaya, and Vange Alinsug to secure the set, 25-19.
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, who was on the bench in the second set, returned in the third, but the Philippines remained unfazed and managed to keep it close, trailing 21-23.
However, Hoang Trinh and Tran Linh scored back-to-back points with a drop ball and a kill off the block, respectively, moving Vietnam a set away from the win, 25-21.
Vietnam dominated the fourth set, cruising to a 19-6 advantage and never looking back, ultimately clinching the set 25-9.
Nationals’ head coach Norman Miguel opted to field Belen, Alinsug, Solomon, Maaya, AC Miner, Camilla Lamina, and Roma Mae Doromal as his starters.
Also part of the team are Abegail Pono, Shaira Jardio, Kamille Cal, Erin Pangilinan, Arah Panique, Myrtle Escanlar, and Niña Ytang.
Vietnam, along with Thailand, which swept Indonesia earlier (26-24, 26-24, 25-20), are the early leaders at 1-0.
