MANILA – Team Philippines capped off its campaign in the 14th Asian Women’s U18 Volleyball Championship with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-12 domination of India on Monday at the Nakhon Pathom Sports Centre Gymnasium in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.
Katherine Shaine Cortez displayed efficient playmaking to end up with 26 excellent sets on top of two points to be hailed as the Player of the Game as Team Philippines ended the tournament at ninth place.
“I am happy and grateful with the opportunity to play for flag and country,” said the Bacolod Tay Tung High School standout. “I must admit I was really nervous because it is the Philippines that we are representing, not just our school or Western Visayas.”
Rhose Viane Almendralejo spearheaded the offense with 16 points, Dona Mae de Leon added 12 markers, while Ana Francesca Hermosura ended up with nine points for Team Philippines.
The victory of the Jerry Yee-mentored Philippine U-18 squad also served as a bounce back for Team Philippines after bowing to India during their group stage match, 25-14, 21-25, 23-25, 19-25, last week.
Forced to a tight battle by the much taller Indians early in the opening set, Team Philippines got it going late in the set behind Almendralejo, Hermosura and Jothea Ramos to build a 24-20 lead.
The Indians started the second set strong with an early 10-7 lead but the Philippines quickly turned things around at 20-16 with attacks from Almendralejo and De Leon before unloading five straight points to close the set.
With victory already in sight, Team Philippines went on a scorching start in the third set to build a 19-9 advantage. After consecutive points by the Indians, the Pinay Spikers went for the finisher on successive points from Hermosura and De Leon.
Philippine U-18 girls volleyball squad team manager Jose Montalbo said representing the Philippines despite short notice is “one of a kind” and “an experience we will never forget” for the Western Visayas-composed team.
“Our team was the youngest in the tournament. Most of them were 17 years old and below. In fact, our average age of our Philippine players was 15 years old,” Montalbo said.
“This was truly a one of a kind opportunity for all of us, especially for our student-athletes,” he added. “This was was an experience we will never forget. Rest assured that in two to three years’ time, these girls will excel further.”/PN
