AVC Volleyball Championship: India repels Fibr-Philippines but not without a struggle
The Power Pinays opened their first stint in a major international tilt with a straight-sets loss against Asian #11 ranked India, 25-22, 26-24, 25-12 in the morning session of the 17th Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at the MCC Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
The Indian lasses found early difficulty penetrating the Filipinas’ net defenses—led by former Adamson standout Pau Soriano and University of Santo Tomas stalwart Aiza Maizo-Pontillas. However, Indian captain Mini Mol Abraham was relentless as she punctured the Power Pinays for thirteen markers, ten of them on attacks. Philippine skipper Angge Tabaquero then led an offensive onslaught joined by Maizo-Pontillas and Perpetual Help middle-hitter Royse Tubino. This was the key in the Power Pinays almost stealing the second set after Maizo-Pontillas tied the count at 24-all with a kill. But Tabaquero’s service error began the demise of the Philippines and when India began infiltrating the Power Pinays’ backline where the Philippine floor defense could not cope towards the end. Indian center-spiker Anusri Ghosh dominated with a game-high fourteen markers, highlighted by an astonishing six block points.
India’s Head Coach Meena Mahalingam, however, saluted the Philippine effort.
“With our agility not at par with theirs their outside hitters (Tabaquero and a moonlighting Tubino) had a feast on using ‘off the block’ shots,” she said in an interview with Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) media man Mark Dionisio. “Our attacks also lacked power that’s why they were easily defended.”
Despite service errors evidently plaguing the Power Pinays, they only ended up committing just one more than their opponents, 26-25. Fibr-Philippines Head Coach Nes Pamilar didn’t blame those errors on the loss but actually claimed that the lack of experience did them in.
“Errors happen,” Pamilar noted, in the vernacular. “Our more seasoned counterparts commit errors, what more us? Our lack of coomunication on the floor and our distinct lack of experience was the culprit.”
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But despite the loss, Pamilar praised the performance.
“We had great blocking at the onset; very effective,” he exclaimed. “If they (India) found a way to get through that, our back row defenses were ready. It was really our endgame that showed our inexperience.”
For the record, The Philippines is joining this competition for the first time since 2005. It is only recently that the PVF and other sports stakeholders have come together to revive the women's volleyball program and this stint will carry with it expected rocky trails.
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The Power Pinays take on Asian #9 ranked Iran today, still at the MCC Hall (the tournament’s alternate venue) before taking on defending champions China on Sunday (September 15) at the main venue, the Chatchai Hall. Iran is also at a similar 0-1 card after absorbing a shellacking at the hands of the Chinese, 25-11, 25-16, 25-17.
With lessons learned from their defeat against the Indians, the Power Pinays now have time to make the necessary adjustments before facing the Iranians. Game-time is set for 4:00PM local time (5:00PM, Manila time).
Complete results:
Pool A
KAZ def. THA, 26-24, 26-24, 17-25, 25-20
AUS def. MGL, 25-20, 25-23, 25-18
Pool B
CHI def. IRI, 25-11, 25-16, 25-17
IND def. PHI, 25-22, 26-24, 25-12
Pool C
INA def. HKG, 25-21, 25-21, 25-23
JPN def. VIE, 25-6, 25-13, 25-16
Pool D
TPE def. SRI, 25-6, 25-6, 25-13
KOR def. MYA, 25-7, 25-11, 25-12
BOXSCORES:
IND—Ghosh 14, Abraham 13, Raju 10, Vengadan 9, Sreesailam 3, Antony 1, Khedkar (L) 0, Mannaparambil 0, Joseph 0.
PHI—Maizo-Pontillas 8, Tabaquero 7, Tubino 7, Eulalio 4, Soriano 4, Benito 2, Saet 1, Dionela (L) 0, Macatuno 0.
Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com
