By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippines put on a spirited challenge in the third frame, but Vietnam still came away with 25-19, 25-17, 31-29 win Sunday night, Aug. 21, at the start of the 2022 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Nationals sorely missed the absence of Alyssa Valdez, Jia De Guzman and coach Sherwin Meneses due to health reasons and that was clearly showed in the first two sets of the game.
They, however, picked up their game in the third, erasing a 16-10 deficit to engage the Vietnamese in a torrid exchange of power smashes to the delight of the PH supporters.
But in the end, it was Vietnam which proved steadier and mightier in their Pool A match.
Despite the defeat, libero Kyla Atienza, who produced several excellent digs, was still proud of their performance.
“Kahit di kami ganung kakumpleto, lumaban pa rin kami hanggang dulo,” Atienza said. “Inisip ko na lang din na mag-enjoy lang sa gami kasi kailangan ako ng team ko ngayon.”
Vietnam needed four match-point advantages to clinch the win, with a block from Doan Thi Xuan and a net error from Tots Carlos sealing the victory.
Tran Thi Thanh Thuy erupted for 20 points on 17 attacks and two aces for the Vietnamese, while Pham Thi Nguyen Anh and Tran Thi Bich Thuy chipped in 10 points apiece.
Jema Galanza led the Nationals with 13 points even as Michele Gumabao added 11 points.
The Vietnamese overpowered the Nationals on all fronts, firing more spikes, 45-37, posting more blocks, 13-7, and making more aces, 5-3.
