Chinese Taipei downs Philippines in U23 classification match
Chinese-Taipei read the Philippines like an open book as they trumped the hosts, 25-17, 25-19, 25-20, in their classification match in the Asian U23 Women’s Volleyball Championship Friday afternoon at Philsports Arena.
Chen Tzu-Ya sealed the game for Chinese Taipei as she found the open spot in the middle of the floor.
Chinese Taipei coach Lin Ming-Hui said the Philippines’ fatigue greatly affected their performance which they used to their advantage.
“This is the second time we are facing the Philippines, and in this second time they were tired and their performance was not so well,” Lin said through a translator.
The Philippines had a tough match against powerhouse China on Thursday evening that ground them out for the Friday game.
With the win, Chinese Taipei can still take the fifth spot if they win on their match on Saturday while the Philippines’ best finish is seventh, providing that they win their final match in the tournament.
“We are more familiar with the Philippines today,” Chinese Taipei captain Wu Ching-Ting said.
Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago managed to pull the Philippines and cut the deficit to 18-20 as they teamed up for a block but Wu Wei-Hua answered back with a hit off the block that put Chinese Taipei up 21-18.
Philippine head coach Roger Gorayeb said they cannot make excuses for their loss; nonetheless, he is still happy with what his team has done.
“We cannot make excuses, we were not able to receive, and that’s the biggest problem,” Gorayeb said. “But up to now, I am very much proud of them.”
“You made your country proud, you made the fans proud, you made your parents proud. You have inspired a lot of volleyball players.”
Valdez added that Chinese Taipei just clicked with their players knowing their roles in the game.
“Chinese Taipei is a strong team… they’re really consistent,” Valdez said.
Chen led Chinese Taipei with 11 points.
It was the first time in the tournament that Valdez was not the top scorer for the Philippines as she finished with only eight points.
Valdez is still playing through that right-thumb injury that she sustained in the preliminaries.
Myla Pablo and Santiago led the Philippines with nine points apiece. AU
