Philippines easily dispatches Kazakhstan in straight sets

Naveen Ganglani

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Philippines easily dispatches Kazakhstan in straight sets
Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago score 19 and 12 points respectively as the Philippines notches its first international volleyball win in a decade

MANILA, Philippines – That was a victory to remember.

The Philippines obtained their first international volleyball win in a decade with a 25-19, 25-11, 28-26 victory over Kazakhstan on Saturday, May 2, at the PhilSports Arena.

The win improved the Philippines’ Rebisco Asian Under-23 Women’s Volleyball Championship record to 1-1, putting them in prime position to attain a berth in the quarterfinals of the tourney.

The tournament serves as the qualifiers for the 2015 FIVB Under-23 World Volleyball Championship in Ankara, Turkey.

Ateneo Lady Eagles star Alyssa Valdez was her usual impressive self, finishing with 19 points despite nursing a hand injury she sustained in her team’s four-set defeat to Iran on Friday, May 1.

But Valdez had more than enough help from her teammates, as new starters Myla Pablo and Risa Sato combined for 13 points in the win. Jaja Santiago and Gretchel Soltones also played well, putting up 12 and 9 points, respectively.

Yana Yagodina had 18 points to lead Kazakhstan, who has a critical match against Iran on Sunday, May 3.

A kill by Valdez created separation between both teams in the first set. With the hometown Philippine crowd getting up to their seats in anticipation for an early win, the pressure creeped up on Kazakhstan, who proceeded to commit two costly errors that put their opponents ahead 22-17.

The Philippines cruised from there and eventually drew first blood thanks to a conversion by Santiago.

The second set was a no-contest from the get-go, as the more explosive Philippine squad, who was quicker to balls and had more effective sets, ran out to a 13-4 advantage, further riveting their home crowd. Both clubs exchanged a few kills after, but back-to-back conversions from Valdez extended her team’s lead to 11, paving the way for an easy 2-0 sets lead.

The third set was a closer affair, as Kazakhstan tied the period at 26 to stave off defeat for a little while longer. Unfortunately for them, Pablo and Santiago each converted kills in the subsequent possessions to put the finishing touches on a Philippine victory.

An Iran win over Kazakhstan would grant them and the Philippines a trip to the quarters. But even if Kazakhstan beats Iran, the Philippines would still have a great shot at advancing to the next round thanks to the one set they won over Iran on Friday. – Rappler.com

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