Viets slam door on PH volleybelles

SINGAPORE—A no-nonsense Vietnamese side put an abrupt ending to the Philippine women  volleyball team’s comeback  campaign with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-23 rout  Saturday in the 28th Southeast Asian Games here.

Despite the encouragement of Filipino fans at OCBC Arena Hall 2, the nationals proved  no match to the Vietnamese who easily took the first two sets and hardly flinched when their rivals  tried to mount a comeback in the third.

Jaja Santiago, PH’s 6-foot-3 middle blocker, spearheaded the attack in the third but her effort fell short against Vietnam’s steadfast defense.  Alyssa Valdez topscored with 11 points while Santiago finished with 10.

The country thus ended its first SEA Games women’s campaign in 10 years with a 1-2 record. The men’s team, at 1-1, was to face powerhouse Thailand on Sunday.

PH coach Roger Gorayeb said he still takes pride in his team which he “wished was formed one or two years ago.”

“Our goal was to make the semis but the experience we have is big thing,” said Gorayeb.