THE Philippines bowed to Southeast Asian powerhouse Vietnam in straight sets, 19-25, 17-25, 29-31, at the start of the 2022 Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Veteran team captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy led the charge as the Vietnamese asserted their might in their tournament debut to join defending champion China at the top of Pool A.
The hosts put up a whale of a fight in the third set but fell short while playing without top star Alyssa Valdez, team captain Jia De Guzman, and head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Trailing 18-22 in the third set, Creamline MVPs Jema Galanza and Ced Domingo led a comeback that enabled the Philippines to tie things up at 22 all.
The two teams traded leads from there until veteran Tran Thi Thanh Thuy put Vietnam at match point with a powerful crosscourt hit, only to see Pangs Panaga extend the match with a middle kill.
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Both teams exchanged set points before a block on Tots Carlos and a costly error sealed the win for the SEA Games silver medalists, 29-31.
Tran led the charge with 20 points while Pham Thi Nguyet Anh and Tran Thi Bich Thuy had 10 points apiece as Vietnam sent the Philippines to 0-1 in a tie with youth-laden South Korea.
Galanza led the Philippines with 13 points off 11 attacks and two aces, while Michele Gumabao chipped in 11 points built on nine attacks and two blocks in a losing effort.
The hosts will next face five-time champion China on Tuesday, 7.pm. at the PhilSports Arena.
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