AVC: Chinese-Taipei trumps Philippines for crack at 5th place

Photo from asianvolleyball.net

BIÑAN, Laguna—Chinese-Taipei earned a shot at the fifth place in the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship after taking down host Philippines, 25-20, 25-19, 25-19, in the classification stage Wednesday at Alonte Sports Arena here.

The 55th-ranked team in the world is set to face Vietnam for the battle for the fifth spot while the Philippines will once again match up against Kazakhstan for a crack at seventh.

The Philippines had the early momentum in the third set putting up a 10-4 lead but Chinese-Taipei managed to score seven straight to take an 11-10 lead.

Captain Chen Wan-Ting then finished off the no.79 team in the world with a brutal crosscourt kill.

Alyssa Valdez, who had 13 points to lead the Philippines, was disappointed with how they squandered their edge but said they have to move on and end the tournament on a positive note.

“We definitely wanted to win, but we just couldn’t hold on,” said Valdez in Filipino. “But, again, this is a learning experience because there was the regret because it would’ve been a huge difference if we were able to get at least one set.”

“One set could’ve tilted the game but we’re here and we just have to accept the loss and move forward.”

Wu Wei-Hua had 14 points to lead Chinese-Taipei while Chen, who came in as a substitute in all the three sets, and Hsiao Hsiang-Ling had nine points apiece.

Jaja Santiago helped the Philippines’ cause with 10 points.