MANILA – The Philippine women’s volleyball team salvaged a bronze medal finish in the first leg of the ASEAN Grand Prix via a 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-12 win over Vietnam at the Terminal 21 Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Mylene Paat stood tall in the national women’s volleyball team. She literally sacrificed her body and forced Vietnam to commit an error that gave the Philippines the much-needed cushion in the closing moments of the fifth set.
Paat finished the match with 22 points, on 14 kills, four aces and four kill blocks on Sunday night.
Kalei Mau chipped in 16 markers while Mary Joy Baron and Frances Molina had 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
With the Vietnamese closing in 13-12, Paat dove for a dig to cover Mau’s attack and as she controlled her momentum, Vietnam’s Than Thuy Tran touched the net while trying to avoid landing on the Filipina.
Vietnam called for a line crossing challenge but the national squad escaped with the point. The replay showed Paat was able to control her feet from crossing the line as Tran touched the net to control her landing.
Tran had 25 points including 22 from attacks while Kim Thanh Dang had 15 for Vietnam, which closed the first leg of the four-nation tournament without a win in three games.
The national women’s volleyball team now has its sights set on the second leg of the SEA Grand Prix, which is slated to run from October 4 to 6 at the Sta. Rosa Gym in Laguna./PN
