After placing 8th in AVC, PH aims for better finish in SEA Games

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

BIÑAN, Laguna—The Philippines had a disappointing end in the AVC Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship after losing in five sets to Kazakhstan 25-20, 25-20, 21-25, 21-25, 15-3, to finish at eighth place.

But the AVC is just the first part of the national team’s grueling August schedule as it will also compete in the 2017 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Against the region’s volleyball team, the Filipinos are not only shooting for a better record than in the AVC but are also aiming for the top prize.

“We will give out best come the SEA Games,” said national team veteran Jovelyn Gonzaga in Filipino Thursday at Alonte Sports Arena. “The goal is to bring home a medal for the Philippines, and we’ll put on our best performance there.”

The Philippines had a chance to take the seventh place in the tournament but its spirited comeback against the 21st-ranked Kazakhs lasted just two sets.

Gonzaga said they failed to adjust quicker to the Kazakhs’ constant attacks in the fifth set and she hopes they can improve on their mental toughness come the Games at Kuala Lumpur.

“I think our opponents read our strategy and we had a hard time adjusting,” said Gonzaga who had 10 points in the loss. “Holding on to your momentum all depends on the team’s mental toughness and that’s the area we have to improve on.”