ALAS Pilipinas Women made China work for two sets before losing to the reigning Asian Games champions, 18-25, 22-25, 8-25, in their debut on Wednesday at Okazaki Central Park General Gymnasium.
The Nationals put up a courageous fight but could not sustain that resistance through the finish, but they made sure China had to earn the win.
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Angel Canino and Eya Laure combined for 13 of Alas’ 18 points in the opening set, keeping the Philippines within striking distance.
Alas pushed China even harder in the second, erasing a deficit to tie the frame at 20-all before the world's No. 7 ranked team scored five of the last seven points.
China finally created separation in the third, pouncing on its first chance to build a double-digit lead and never letting Alas back into the set.
The physical challenge was evident, with 11 of China’s 12 players standing at least 6 feet tall. Still, the Philippines refused to be steamrolled, save for a late third-set meltdown after Alas head coach Taka Minowa shuffled his lineup.
Canino finished as Alas’ leading scorer with 14 points on 13 attacks and an ace. Laure chipped in 10 points, all from attacks, while Alyssa Solomon added nine.
But China’s one-two punch of Tang Xin and Zhuang Yushan proved too much for the Philippines, mixing quick attacks with backrow hits to combine for 36 points in the three-set contest.
The Nationals now need to beat Kazakhstan in their final Pool B match on Thursday to keep their quarterfinal hopes alive. Their fate will then hinge on the group stage finale between China and Kazakhstan on Friday.
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