By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alas Pilipinas recovered from an opening set stumble to turn back Australia, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, in the AVC Challenger Cup on Thursday night, May 23, at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The Philippines showed might and grit before an energetic 4,945 crowd in the face of a one-set deficit.
As expected, veteran setter Jia Morado led the Alas Pilipinas to a balanced display with four players finishing in double figures.
Angel Canino, who was coming off a right arm injury and has admitted to still being in the process of full recovery, scattered 17 points on 15 attacks, one block and one service ace playing as a newly-converted opposite spiker by head coach Jorge de Brito.
Eya Laure was equally reliable in the impressive victory after turning in a similar 17-point outing built on 15 kills and two service aces.
Apart from Canino and Laure, Sisi Rondina came up with her usual high numbers. This time, posting 16 points including the clincher that sealed the win for the Philippines.
Thea Gagate, for her part, added 11 markers highlighted by four kill blocks.
With the win, the Philippines settled behind India in the Group A standings and earned three points along with it.
On the other hand, India topped the standings with a commanding back-to-back victories for six points.
Australia went down in the third spot with an even 1-1 record, while Chinese Taipei and Iran remained winless.
Kara Inskip paced the Australians with 12 points as the lone bright spot in the losing cause.
The Philippines will face the undefeated India the following day, May 24, at the same time and will figure in two more games until Sunday, May 26, to wrap up the eliminations.
Only the top two teams from both pools will advance to the semifinal, with Vietnam and Kazakhstan leading the way in Group B.
