The Philippines went from being two sets away from reaching the semifinals to falling to the battle for seventh spot in less than 24 hours in the Asian Under 23 Women’s Volleyball Championship.
Lacking intensity, the battle-weary Filipinos took a straight-sets loss to Chinese Taipei, 19-25, 17-25, 20-25, yesterday in their classification-round battle at Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The loss came less than 24 hours after the Filipinos dropped a four-setter to reigning world champion China in the quarterfinals.
“We were not able to receive well,” said PH coach Roger Gorayeb. “But I am very proud of what this team has accomplished here.”
The Taiwanese limited PH skipper Alyssa Valdez to eight hits. Jaja Santiago finished with nine points for the Filipinos, who will face Iran at 10 a.m. today for seventh spot.
India outlasted Iran, 22-25, 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 15-9, in their classification battle. China clinched the first finals seat with a 25-13, 25-21, 25-21 rout of South Korea. The Chinese face the winner of the Thailand-Japan clash.