Alas women in peril after yielding to Koreans
Games Wednesday
(Candon City Arena)
9 a.m. - Vietnam vs Iran
12 p.m. - Lebanon vs Kazakhstan
3 p.m. - Alas Pilipinas vs Chinese Taipei
6 p.m. - South Korea vs Australia
9 p.m. - Kyrgyzstan vs Uzbekistan
CANDON CITY, Ilocos Sur — Alas Pilipinas prayed for a miracle against South Korea.
It was left unanswered as the Filipinas crash-landed on the South Koreans and absorbed a stinging 25-16, 25-18, 25-22 defeat Tuesday that dealt a massive blow to their AVC Volleyball Cup semifinal bid at the Candon City Arena here.
It was South Korea’s third straight win to lead Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, while the host country stumbled to its second defeat against the same number of victories and closer to elimination.
But it’s not yet the end of the road for the Nationals as they can still catch the last semis bus if they can pull the rug from under the fancied Taiwanese Thursday and hope and pray the latter and the Aussies both lose to the Koreans in their final pool play matches.
Alas will have the whole day Wednesday to make plans ahead of that critical showdown with Chinese Taipei as the tournament takes a breather.
“We will play with all our hearts out and fight,” said Alas skipper Alyssa Valdez in their Taipei duel.
The Filipinas did not go out without a fight though as they came close to snatching a set when they surged to a 19-16 edge in the third set after Alas coach Shaq delos Santos pulled Ara Galang out his magic hat, which proved beneficial.
It proved to be Alas’ last as South Korea went on target the former’s weak backline for eight of the last 11 points to seize the set and the match.
It was the former Olympic and World Championship bronze medalist’s third triumph in a row, which was made more impressive by the fact that it all won it vis straight sets.
The Koreans could have conceded one against the Nationals had the latter not imploded late.
Kang Sohwi was unapologetic in uncorking a match-high 19 points, including 15 off attacks and three on service aces.
“We just showed fighting spirit,” she said via an interpreter.
Delos Santos made a big change in their starting line up when he opened with Alyssa Solomon and Tots Carlos instead of Jovelyn Gonzaga and Valdez.
It didn’t work as South Korea, which was hoping to reclaim its Volleyball Nations League after being relegated last year, imposed its full might in the first two sets and then used its experience in the third to prevail.
Galang, despite the defeat, cherished his national team debut.
“Super grateful for this chance and opportunity,” said Galang, who was instrumental in that third-set resistance where she chipped in four hits while playing spectacular floor defense.
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