Asian Games: Philippines falls to Indonesia, still advances to quarters

FILE – Philippines’ Alyssa Valdez (L) hits the ball as Thailand’s Pimipichaya Kokram (C) and Hattaya Bamrungsuk (R) defend during their women’s Group A preliminary volleyball match between the Philippines and Thailand at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 19, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Anthony WALLACE

The Philippines fell short in its final game of the preliminaries after losing to host Indonesia in four sets, 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 22-25, in the women’s volleyball competition of the 2018 Asian Games Saturday at GBK Volley Indoor Stadium in Jakarta.

Although the Filipinos lost, they still qualified for the quarterfinals as the fourth seed in the group with a 1-4 card.

The Philippines managed to show its tenacity midway through the fourth set when it clawed back from a 16-12 deficit to take an 18-17 lead.

That, however, was the Filipinos’ last stand as the Indonesians quickly raced back to score five straight points after Jaja Santiago sent the ball straight to the net giving Indonesia a 23-18 lead.

The Philippines saved two more points after Santiago’s off-the-block kill and Dawn Macandili connected with Alyssa Valdez to trim the deficit to 24-22.

Indonesia finally got the winning point after the Philippines’ discombobulated defense failed to get the ball over the net.

Aprilla Manganang had a marvelous outing and finished with 28 points to lead the Indonesians, who finished with the third seed in Pool A with a 3-2 card.

Valdez led the Philippines with 16 points while Santiago had 13.