Loss to Iran takes Filipina spikers off VC

Alyssa Valdez of the Philippines (center) smashes the ball past the defense of two Iranian players during their 6th AVC Cup for Women on Monday, Sept. 17 in Thailand. AVC

MANILA – The Philippines squandered another set lead to suffer a heartbreaking 29-27, 16-25, 25-17, 12-25, 15-13 loss to Iran in the 6th Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women in Thailand.

Monday night’s loss was the second heartbreaker for the Ceseal delos Santos-mentored Filipino team, who succumbed to a five-set defeat to Australia on Sunday and bowed out of the quarterfinals contention.

In the process the Philippines also lost its qualification to the 2019 AVC Asian Senior Women’s Championship.

To return to the AVC the Filipina spikers will have to join a new qualifying tournament – the Asia Challenge Cup – either next year or in 2020.

The Philippines had a 2-1 set advantage after a late run in the first set capped by late conversions from Cha Cruz-Behag and Alyssa Valdez, and a lopsided third set domination.

But the Filipinas struggled heavily in the fourth set, allowing Iranian to build an early double-digit lead and have a strong start in the fifth frame 8-6.

The Philippines rallied back behind Valdez and Cruz Behag to force deadlocks 12-all and 13-all but Maedeh Borhani completed the Iranian’s fight-back in the match with back-to-back hits.

Valdez led the Philippines with 24 points off 22 kills, a block and an ace. Mylene Paat chipped in 10 hits while Aby Maraño and Cruz-Behag added 8 and 6 markers, respectively.

Mahsa Kadkhoda top-scored with 30 points (19 hits, six aces and five kill blocks), Maeda Borhani added 18 markers, while Neda Cahamlanian and Mahsa Saberi scored 12 and 10, respectively, for Iran./PN

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