Volleybelles find Singapore easy prey

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine women’s volleyball team walloped Singapore, 25-9, 26-16, 25-20, in the opener of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games volleyball event at the West Negros Gym here.

Michelle Carolino, an army woman, team captain Roxanne Pimentel and Cherry Rose Macatangay, both of the Philippine Air Force combined for 39 attacks to lead the Philippine assault.

The Filipinas disposed of their rivals only in one hour , four minutes, apparently saving their best for the stronger Thai and Vietnamese teams.

"We’re reserving our best moves for our future matches," said head coach Ramil de Jesus, who has been mentoring the squad since April.

The crowd was expecting Negrense spiker Maureen Pentrante of Silay to play in the opening game but De Jesus said she was recuperating from an injury.

Team bonding and good blocking of the lady spikers delivered their first win, De Jesus said.

Pimentel admitted that Thailand is the team to beat and they are focusing their energies on this match scheduled Dec. 2.

Meanwhile, Singapore team manager Chai Chon Fah expressed disappointment over his team’s performance, saying that the Singaporeans were not able to train for the RP match because they were tired from their trip to the country.  He also said they were expecting to play today (Monday) but there were changes in the game schedule.

"We will do better next time," he said. 

Singapore plays Indonesia Nov. 30.  The Indonesians finished third in the Vietnam SEAGames in 2003.

Team captain Wei Chen Ong said the RP spikers are very strong and the support they got from the audience also contributed much to their win.