NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand – The Philippine girls’ team pulled off a five-set stunner against Australia to open its campaign in the 10th Asian Youth Girls Volleyball Championship on a high note at the MCC Hall Convention Center at The Mall here.
The young Filipinas battled back from a set down before outplaying the Aussies in the decider to hack out the 24-26, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 win on Saturday.
The Aussies appeared on their way to wrapping up the game after leading 12-10 in the fifth and final set, but the Filipina volleybelles went on a closing 5-1 run that completed the come-from-behind win.
Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) president Geofrrey Karl Chan admitted failing to recall when was the last time a volleyball team from the Philippines beat the world-ranked Aussies.
“It’s a breakthrough win for us. I can’t recall kung kalian natin huling tinalo ang Australia because even a set before ay hindi tayo makapanalo sa kanila,” said Chan, who is also the head of delegation.
Up next for the Philippines is India before clashing with powerhouse China on Monday.
The Filipinas are seeing action in the nine-day tournament for the first time after failing to compete in the last two stagings of the meet.
The event was last held in the Philippines in 2008 where the host made it to the quarterfinals despite winning just a single game against Sri Lanka.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
