PH spikers fall anew

Photo by Marc Anthony Reyes/INQUIRER

NAKHON Ratchasima—The Philippines suffered another tough loss on Monday night against a higher ranked opponent in a match where it was in control most of the time.

This time, it was the Iranians who scored a come-from-behind triumph over the Filipinos, 27-29, 25-16, 17-25, 25-12, 15-13, in the 6th Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women at Chartchai Hall here.

It was the second straight defeat for the Philippines, which also dropped a five-set decision to Australia on Sunday.

The PH ladies were relegated to the classification round regardless of the results of their match against Kazakhstan on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Coach Shaq Delos Santos refused to get interviewed and even hinted at filing a protest over a call late in the fifth set.

But Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. secretary general Ariel Paredes said they will have to talk about it as a team before making a decision.

With Iran leading 11-10 in the fifth, the chair umpire gave a point to a hit that went wide. The ball fell behind Jia Morado, who blocked the view of the line judge.

The Philippines still equalized at 12-12 after the controversial play.

“I know that we can’t do anything about it, it was done,” said Delos Santos.  “But I noticed he was the same referee as last match.”

Delos Santos later decided to sign the match results.

In other matches, Australia, playing without scoring machine Rachel Rourke, came from behind to beat Kazakhstan, 21-25, 25-20, 25-23, 20-25, 15-12, while China overcame gallant Chinese Taipei, 25-14, 25-20, 25-22, for their second straight wins.

Jennifer Sadler had 18 points for Australia—14 attacks, one block, three aces—while Jennifer Tait and Carey Beth added 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Anastassiya Rostovchshikov had 23 points for Kazakhstan.

Australia rested Rourke, who scored a match-high 33 points after its win over the Philippines on Sunday.

Liu Yanhan led China with 22 points, including 20 kills from 43 attempts, while Zheng Yixin added 16 points.

“I think my team has to improve its back-row defense,” China coach Shi Hairong said after the match.