ALAS Pilipinas Women produced the most lopsided set of the Asian Games so far, holding Qatar to just two points in the second frame before cruising to a 25-8, 25-2, 25-9 sweep on Sunday in the classification stage.
The Philippines came out firing in the second set, scoring the first 19 points before Qatar finally broke through on a cross-court hit. Its only other point came off a late Bella Belen service error as Alas closed out the frame, 25-2.
READ: Alas clashes with Qatar as Asian Games classification begins
The victory finally gave Alas its long-awaited first win of the tournament, although it came after they had already been eliminated from medal contention following losses to defending champion China and Kazakhstan in the group stage.
With the podium out of reach, head coach Taka Minowa shuffled his lineup, handing starting roles to Amie Provido, Shaina Nitura and Nina Ytang, while giving Mars Alba extended time at setter in place of captain Jia de Guzman.
Provido seized her chance to shine, pacing all scorers with 19 points built on 11 attacks, four blocks and four aces. Nitura added 10 points from attacks, while Belen contributed nine on seven attacks and two blocks.
Ytang chipped in seven points, including four blocks and three attacks, while Alyssa Solomon finished with six markers.
Alas also kept Qatar in single digits throughout the one-hour match, extending a difficult tournament for the Middle Eastern side, who have now been held to single-digit scores in 10 of their 12 sets.
The Philippines advances to the second round of the classification stage on Monday against Mongolia, which finished third in Pool C after sweeping Kyrgyzstan and absorbing straight-set losses to Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
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