ATTACK Alas Pilipinas' Sisi Rondina (No. 18) tries to score against Australia during the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on May 23, 2024. Philippines won, 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21. AVC PHOTO
The Alas Pilipinas, the Philippine women's national volleyball team, triumphed over Australia with scores of 22-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-21, to kick off their Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup campaign on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
After dropping the first set, Alas Pilipinas bounced back strongly, leading the second set 22-17 before leveling the match. The team found their rhythm and dominated the third set with ease.
In the decisive fourth set, the Philippines held a comfortable 21-15 lead before Australia rallied with three consecutive points to narrow the gap.
Fifi Sharma played a pivotal role in the final moments, scoring twice to secure the victory.
The Philippine team showcased their serving prowess with nine aces compared to Australia's two.
However, the Australians had an edge in blocking, tallying 12 blocks to the Philippines' seven.
Angel Canino and Eya Laure each scored 17 points, with Canino delivering 15 attacks, a block, and an ace, and Laure contributing 14 attacks, two aces, and a block. Sisi Rondina added 16 points, while Thea Gagate chipped in with 11 points for the national team.
In other game, India defeated Chinese Taipei, 25-19, 25-13, 25-16, to remain unbeaten in the AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
Soorya Soorya scored 15 points, including eight blocks, as India sustained its winning form after prevailing over Iran, 25-17, 25-23, 25-21, on Wednesday.
“I’m feeling very happy that we won, and we are hoping that we can get more wins,” said the 6-foot Soorya, who scored seven points in the first set.
“My teammates are very supportive, and our coaches and the Indians in the audience were very supportive,” she added after the one-hour-and-20-minute match.
“This time, we’re going to win this tournament,” Soorya said, referring to India's fourth-place finish in last year’s Challenge Cup held in East Java, Indonesia.
Anusree Poyilil Kambrath contributed 13 attacks, while Radha Anagha had seven points in the Pool A match of the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Opposite hitter Hsu Fang-Min had 10 attacks and two aces while Lin Liang-Tai chipped in eight points for Chinese Taipei, which absorbed its second consecutive loss after bowing to Australia, 25-23, 15-25, 19-25, 18-25.
India's next match will be against the Alas Pilipinas at 7 p.m. on Friday.
“Playing against the home team is very difficult because the audience support will go to the Philippines. But we will try to overcome that,” Soorya said.
Meanwhile, Hong Kong downed Indonesia, 25-22, 26-24, 25-18, to level its record to 1-1 in Pool B.
Chim Wing Lam and Shum Lam scored 18 points each for Hong Kong, which succumbed to defending champion Vietnam, 13-25, 17-25, 16-25, on opening day. PNA
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