THE Philippine women’s national volleyball team edged Vietnam, 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-12, to salvage third place in the Asean Grand Prix 1st Leg on Sunday at Terminal 21 Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Filipinas avoided a winless stint, the lone victory pulling them out of the cellar in the four-team meet.
The nationals failed to close out the match in the fourth set as the Vietnamese squad dominated the frame with a 10-point win to force a decider.
Kalei Mau nailed the match-winning kill as the Philippines ended the tournament on a bright note.
Jia Morado’s brilliant plays worked wonders in the fifth set, giving the Filipina spikers a 9-6 lead before Vietnam answered with a 6-3 to tie the frame at 12.
Mylene Paat had 22 points off 14 kills, four blocks and four aces. Mau delivered 16 points, while Ces Molina chipped in 14 markers.
Majoy Baron provided six of the team’s 16 kill blocks, finishing with 13 points, while do-it-all setter Alohi Robins-Hardy added nine markers, including four aces.
Vietnamese star Thi Thanh Thuy Tran scored 25, while Thi Kim Thanh Dang had 15 markers for Vietnam, winless in three matches.
The second leg is set in Sta. Rosa Laguna from Oct. 4 to 6.
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