Power Pinays bow to Aussies in Asian volley

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines failed to sustain its win run in the 17th Asian Volleyball Championship, dropping a 22-25, 15-25, 23-25 setback to Australia and bowing out of the battle for ninth place in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand Thursday.

Coach Nestor Pamilar told his wards to put the loss behind them and instead, focus on their final game against the Indians on Friday for 11th place.

“Forget that loss,” Pamiliar told the Power Pinays in Pilipino. “Just focus on our game tomorrow (today).”

Honey Royse Tubino led the Filipina spikers with 10 points off seven attacks and three blocks, while Wenneth Eulalio and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas had eight points apiece.

After winning back-to-back games against Sri Lanka and Myanmar at the start of the classification phase, the Power Pinays struggled against the Aussies.

They did rally to tie the contest at 22 in the third set but the Aussies scored on an attack and an ace to move to match point.

Skipper Angeline Tabaquero countered with an attack to threaten at 23-24 but the Aussies wrapped it all up with an emphatic crosscourt kill.

Pamilar gave the Power Pinays a piece of his mind shortly after the match.

“The problem is you easily lose your morale,” said Pamilar in his post-game huddle. “You lost a close fight in the first set but lost your focus in the second.”

Nonetheless, he expects the team,  whose campaign is backed by PLDT HOME Fibr broadband, to give India a good fight in their rematch as the Power Pinays hope to end their campaign on a winning note.