Philippines overcomes Vietnam in 5 sets in Asean Grand Prix

Members of the Philippine team celebrate after beating Vietnam in five sets. Photo by Marc Reyes/INQUIRER

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Thailand —The Philippines survived a daring Vietnamese ambush to escape with a 25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 15-25, 15-12 triumph Sunday and claim third place in the Asean Volleyball Grand Prix at Terminal 21 Mall here.

Under heavy fire from a young bunch of Vietnamese, the Filipinos leaned on top gunners Mylene Paat, Ces Molina and Kalei Mau down the stretch to score their only win in the short tournament meant to prepare them for the Southeast Asian Games.

“This is what we came out here for. We didn’t go through the trouble just by losing,” said Molina, who is turning 25 Monday. “This is what I wished for.”

The Philippine team lost a narrow five-setter to finalist Indonesia in the opening day Friday, and stretched powerhouse Thailand to a four-setter last Saturday.

After taking the third set for a 2-1 lead, the Philippines slowed down in the fourth and allowed the Vietnamese to take a gutsy stand behind the 25 points production of Tran Thi Thanh Thuy.

But they opened the fifth set with a renewed energy through youngster Eya Laure, who scored all her two points in the frame including the go-ahead hit for 10-9.

Before that, Jia Morado startled Vietnam with back-to-back drop shots then, Paat and Mau took charge for the finishing kick.

Paat finished with 24 points, while Mau and Molina had 16 and 14, respectively. Majon Baron added 13 in the match that lasted two hours and 11 minutes.