Pinays reach U-17 QF

MANILA, Philippines - A day after toppling Australia, giant-killing Team Philippines racked up its second straight win in pool play, coming back from a one-set deficit to stun India, 3-1, to barge into the quarterfinals of the 10th Asian Girls’ Under-17 Volleyball Championship yesterday at MCC Hall Convention Center in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The unseeded Filipinas refused to wilt after yielding the opening set to the Indians, charging back strong to pull off a 19-25, 25-11, 25-20, 25-22 victory that gave them a 2-0 record in Pool C and assured themselves of a place in the Last-8.

Phl girls sustained their surprising run in the 13-nation tourney after opening their campaign with a huge 24-26, 25-22, 21-25, 25-21, 15-13 upstaging of powerhouse Australia behind the 21 points of Mari Lina Isabel Molde and the 17 of Ejiya Laure.

It was Phl’s first triumph over the Aussies, who was 5-0 head-to-head entering the match. Phl also avenged a straight-set loss to India in their earlier meeting in 2003.

The Filipinas cap their pool assignment today against China, hopeful to continue their giant-killing ways to move forward.

“We have achieved our goal of reaching the quarterfinals. Now we aim for the semis,” said Philippine Volleyball Federation president Karl Chan. “This is a clear sign that we have the talent and the capabilities to compete internationally. If we’re not given that chance then we will never realize our true potential. Hopefully we can open some eyes here now.”