MANILA – The Philippine women’s volleyball team finally tasted victory in the 2018 Asian Games after taking down Hong Kong in straight sets 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 on Thursday at the Bulungan Sports Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Alyssa Valdez top-scored with 14 points, on 10 attacks and four service aces, while Jaja Santiago chipped in 12 markers, on eight attacks, two blocks and two aces for the Philippines.
“After getting experience from our matches against Thailand and Japan, we are glad that we were able to win in our ‘real battle’ against Hong Kong,” said team captain Aby Maraño.
The Philippines opened the match with an 8-5 lead behind Santiago and Kim Dy. Hong Kong made it close 10-9 but the Philippines pulled away with 7 points on attacks and service aces by Valdez.
In the second set the Philippines surged to a 14-7 start with hits from Valdez and Dindin Santiago-Manabat. Hong Kong rallied to as close as 17-20 before the Filipinas wrapped up the set with three conversions from Mary Joy Baron.
Hong Kong had its last stand in the third set, keeping the match close 17-18 until the Philippines slowly distanced 22-17 via hits from Valdez and Baron. Hong Kong rallied to within 20-21 but attacks from Santiago and Dy closed the match.
“These players from Hong Kong, who we used to easily beat before, already matured and developed,” said head coach Ceseal delos Santos. “We anticipated that so I told my players that we should have a must-win mentality.”
The Philippines will face Indonesia on Saturday.
NOT SO LUCKY
In softball, the Philippine Blu Girls failed to secure an automatic bronze medal after a heartbreaking 2-3 loss to Chinese Taipei on Wednesday night.
Both teams were set to face each other again Thursday night in a bid to secure at least a bronze in the step-ladder semifinal round.
Other Philippine bets were not as fortunate. Taekwondo jins Baby Jessica Canabal (women’s -49kg) and Arven Alcantara (men’s 68kg) lost their quarterfinal matches.
Archer Nicole Marie Tagle bowed out of the women’s individual recurve after losing to South Korean Kang Chaeyoung. The Filipina foil team also lost to China 38-45 in the quarterfinals.
In bowling, the trio of Liza del Rosario, Lara Posadas and Alexis Sy struggled in the morning sessions to settle for seventh place while Maria Lourdes Arles, Rachelle Leon and Dyan Coronacion placed 10th./PN
