MANILA — Alas Pilipinas Girls squandered a commanding 10-point lead in a pivotal third set as Peru rallied for a 26-28, 25-22, 25-23, 25-20 victory in the FIVB Volleyball Girls’ U17 World Championship on Tuesday (Philippine time) in San Felipe, Chile.
The young Filipinas appeared poised to seize control of the match after racing to a 15-5 advantage in the third frame, but Peru methodically erased the deficit and stole the set, 25-23, to swing the momentum decisively in its favor.
The Philippines never fully recovered from the collapse as Peru carried its momentum into the fourth set and completed the four-set victory.
The defeat dropped Alas Pilipinas to a 2-2 record in Pool B and denied the Filipinas an opportunity to strengthen their position ahead of their final preliminary-round assignment.
Peru, meanwhile, improved to 3-1 in the group.
Alas Pilipinas had drawn first blood by surviving a tight opening set, 28-26, but Peru responded by taking the second frame, 25-22, to level the match.
Despite the loss, the Philippines actually produced more attacks than Peru, 52-48, while both squads finished with six service aces.
Peru, however, held a 9-5 advantage in blocks and committed only 30 errors compared with the Philippines’ 38, helping the South Americans weather the Filipinas’ offensive production.
Sharina Rhyza Lleses spearheaded Alas Pilipinas with 18 points, all coming from attacks, while also collecting 16 digs.
Caera Celis contributed 17 points on 15 attacks and two aces to go with nine digs and three excellent receptions, while Xyz Ellen Rayco added 12 points, including 10 attacks and two aces, plus 22 digs and six excellent receptions.
Setter Irish May Mahinay finished with six points from one attack, four blocks and one ace while also tallying seven digs.
Khaira Manzano and Cristina Madele Gale chipped in four points apiece, while Taj Teves and team captain Megan Yesha Hernandez contributed one point each.
Nadeth Faye Herbon anchored the Filipinas’ floor defense with 19 digs and one excellent reception.
Alas Pilipinas will attempt to bounce back and close its Pool B campaign on a winning note when it faces Venezuela on Wednesday at 2 a.m. Philippine time.
Venezuela also carries a 2-2 record into the final preliminary-round match./PN
