By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
The Philippines yielded to Kazakhstan, 25-21, 17-25, 24-26, 27-25, 15-6, at the start of the 22nd Asian Women’s Volleyball Championships on Wednesday, Aug. 30, in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Nationals, composed mostly of National University tossers, squandered a 2-1 set lead and two match-point advantages to drop their opening match in Pool D.
It was a disappointing loss for the Nationals after blowing away a 24-22 lead in the fourth frame.
After that, they were never the same again, allowing the Kazakhs to dominate the fifth and deciding frame.
Tatyana Nikitina and skipper Sana Anarkulova combined for 42 kills to finish with 27 and 20 points for the Kazakhs, while Kristina Belova poured in 14 hits for 15 points.
The trio’s performance overshadowed the efforts of Evangeline Alinsug and Bella Belen, who pumped in 30 and 20 points in a futile attempt for Team PH.
While the Filipinas outspiked their rivals by only three kills, 64-61, the Kazakhs turned on their sturdy net defense by posting 14 blocks.
Valeriya Chumak led the Kazakhs’ defensive plays with six blocks, with Yuliya Yakimova and Anikova adding three and two blocks.
The Filipinas are playing against 13-time champion China at presstime before facing Hong Kong on Friday, Sept. 1.
The Chinese are coming off a quick 25-12, 25-15, 25-6 triumph over Hong Kong also on Wednesday.
Ten other teams are competing in the other three groups in the tournament, which offers three slots to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championships.
