AVC Women’s Volleyball Championship: Fibr-PH takes a set vs. Iran but still likely relegated

After winning the first set against the eighth ranked team in Asia, the Fibr-Philippines Power Pinays looked poised to pull off an uplifting triumph against Iran in the ongoing preliminary round of the 17th Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship at the MCC Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat City), Thailand before a throng of supporters for the first Philippine national team to see action in this biennial meet since 2005.

The 25-19 triumph in the first set signaled many positives for the Power Pinays in their quest to re-emerge in the international volleyball landscape after an eight year hiatus. Firstly, they showed that despite their smaller line-up, their floor defense could be a major catalyst in beating our Asian neighbors in a sport where experience matters much. Secondly, the inherent speed advantage the Filipina volleybelles possess can be used as a weapon against taller but slower opponents. Thirdly, communication and desire can get the job done against the odds.

As the second set commenced, the Philippines maintained its inspired aggression, albeit against a visibly more determined Iranian squad. Then nearing the second technical timeout, the shocker happened: Team Captain Angge Tabaquero got wrong-footed during a diving play, twisted her ankle and was sprawled on the floor writhing in severe pain. She had to be helped off the court.

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“I was trying to cover the spike of Aiza (Maizo-Pontillas, the team’s main utility-spiker),” the former University of Santo Tomas (UST) ace said, in the vernacular, during a postgame interview with Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) media man Mark Dionisio. “At that moment, the pain was ten of ten.

“I got scared, I really cried. I really wanted to play because it was a crucial moment of the set and then that happened. It was frightening.”

Tabaquero has had major injuries in the past, the most debilitating of which was a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) which sidelined the veteran outside hitter for over a year.

“I wanted to help, I wanted to contribute,” Tabaquero continued. “For me, it was just a case of mind over matter. If I really wanted to play, I would have to find a way.”

The Power Pinays dropped that critical second set 20-25 and became uneasy over the likelihood that their skipper would not return for the all-important encounter.

However, to the surprise of many—including Fibr-Philippines Head Coach Nes Pamilar—Tabaquero got herself re-taped and started the third set. The Filipinos at the venue went into a frenzy as well as those following Dionisio’s live updates on social media as #PowerPinays was the top trending topic in the archipelago for a good portion of the match (which was played in the late afternoon, Manila time).

It wasn’t enough, though, as the Iranians realized their height and power was something the Filipinas struggled to contend with. Iran won the next two sets, 25-18 and 25-15 to capture its first victory in the tournament after being trounced by defending champion China twenty-four hours previous. The Power Pinays have dropped their second straight, and unless they miraculously upset the mighty Chinese—the second ranked nation in Asia, the Fibr-Philippines squad will be all but relegated to the classification matches of the sixteen nation tilt.

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The Power Pinays clash with the defending champs today at the main competition venue, the world-class Chatchai Hall at 6:00PM, local time (7:00PM, Manila time) and the match will be televised LIVE on Hyper.

Despite the injury, Tabaquero still led the team in scoring with thirteen points followed by quicker Royse Tubino’s twelve and Maizo-Pontillas adding eleven.

Yet in spite of the impending prelims sweep, Pamilar was more than satisfied with the squad’s performance.

“They followed the instructions during our last training to load-up on their serves,” he said in Tagalog. “They were also very organized in their blocks and receptions, so in my book, they had a great showing.”

While the team’s primary goal of advancing to the quarterfinals has been derailed, Pamilar is still confident that this group is ready to represent the Philippines in the upcoming Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this November in Myanmar.

“I told the team management to give the girls more exposure,” he shared. “And if they can achieve that, then they will give a good fight in the SEA Games. This team will make it far.”

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Officers from the PVF arrive tomorrow in Korat City to witness the Power Pinays eventual matches in the classification round--instead of seeing them compete in the quarterfinals. The word is, if the Philippines finishes in the top four among Southeast Asian nations competing, they may just get that crack at “reconsideration” for Myanmar 2013.

Besides the Philippines, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia are also represented in the tourney. Just placing fourth out of these five nations could virtually assure the Power Pinays that much coveted stint. They will also have enough time to prepare and maybe even include a few reinforcements to the pool. A lot is still possible.

For the first time, the Power Pinays’ match will be shown live on local television, although it will be against powerhouse China. The big question will be the health of Tabaquero and how the team can step up in case she is lost for the assignment. A fledgling yet proud volleyball nation will continue supporting the squad—despite the critics that still don’t get it.

There have been many positive signs. Progress is just a few more exposures away.

BOXSCORES:

Iran (1-1) def. Fibr-Philippines (0-2)—19-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-15

IRI—Borhaniesfahan 12, Roosta 11, Saberi 10, Kadkhoda 6, Rashidi 6, Alikhani 5, Chamlanian 5, Ebrahimi 4, Sheikhi 4, Rahmani 1, Kiani (L) 0, Fallah 0.

PHI—Tabaquero 13, Tubino 12, Maizo-Pontillas 11, Saet 5, Eulalio 3, Soriano 3, Dionela (L) 0, Benito 0, Datuin 0, Gendrauli 0, Macatuno 0.

Follow Noel Zarate on Twitter (@NoelZarate) and email sportztackle@yahoo.com