Santiago sisters rally Phl past Myanmar in rebound win

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine V-League volleybelles rebounded from the opening day rout to trip Myanmar in four sets, 20-25, 25-14, 25-10, 25-17, Saturday night in the Southeastern Zone qualifiers for the Women’s Volleyball World Championship at Quang Tri, Vietnam.

Still reeling from the crushing straight set loss they absorbed from the region’s powerhouse Vietnam the day earlier, the Filipinas started out flat dropping the first set to Myanmar.

The Philippine lady spikers rallied behind the Santiago sisters – Dindin and Jaja – from the Shakey’s V-League champion NU Lady Bulldogs with the help of Alyssa Valdez from runner-up Ateneo to win their first international match since being hastily formed right after the league finals only a couple of weeks ago. 

Dindin and Jaja combined for 28 points while Valdez added 15. 

With the victory, the Philippines caught Indonesia at second place after the Indons dropped a 1-3 loss to unbeaten leader Vietnam, which is cinch to win the zonals and the sole ticket to represent Southeast Asia in the Asian Cup qualifiers where four tickets are at stake to the FIVB World Championship.

Philippines and Indonesia will settle who’ll end up second to Vietnam today.  The host country, meanwhile, goes for a sweep against winless Myanmar.