RP spikers overpower Myanmar

Team Philippines hardly flexed its muscle in whipping Myanmar, 25-14, 25-14, 25-17, as it tried to pace itself for tougher games ahead in the Shakey’s Invitational Volleyball Championship which kicked off at the Rizal Coliseum last night.

Cherry Rose Macatangay peppered the Burmese with 15 hits, including 11 off attacks as she spearheaded the Filipinos‘ expected romp over their unfancied rivals in the three-day tournament sponsored by Shakey’s Pizza and backed by Mikasa, Accel and the Philippine Sports Commission.

The hosts face an unpredictable Indonesia side today, hoping to pull through and build enough confidence in their keenly-awaited clash with the fancied Thailand squad, the country’s chief rival in next month’s Southeast Asian Games, tomorrow.

"We didn’t expect much against Myanmar since it started practicing just six months ago," said RP team coach Ramil de Jesus.

He, however, can’t assess their chances against the Indons, saying "I haven’t seen them play yet and has no idea of their style of play."

The win was so lopsided that it took the Filipinos just an hour and eight minutes to dispose of the Burmese, who reeled in the face of the hosts’ unrelenting attack on the net.

In fact, it would have been quicker had the Pinay spikers played it less erratic. The Filipinos fumbled with 23 miscues, two more than the Burmese, the bulk coming off their service errors.

"Nanggigil siguro," said de Jesus, who steered the La Salle Lady Archers to a UAAP three-peat with a finals win over the Adamson Lady Falcons recently.

Thailand, which dominated the last five staging of the SEA Games, matched the Philippines’ straight-set victory later in the night as it downed Indonesia, 25-16, 25-23, 25-20.

The Thais, backstopped by seven members of their national team, are fancied to notch their second win against Myanmar today.