Philippines vs Indonesia in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Women. –AVC PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Indonesia is still a thorn in the side of the Philippine women’s volleyball team as it beat the Filipinos anew, 25-17, 25-20, 25-10, this time in the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Women on Tuesday.
It was a repeat of the result of last month’s 32nd Southeast Asian Games, where the Philippines fumbled the bronze medal at the hands of the Indonesians in four sets, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23.
Indonesia also stopped the Filipinos from getting to the podium in the 31st SEA Games in Hanoi last year.
In their Challenge Cup meeting, the most competitive set came in the second frame when the Philippines crept behind by just two, 22-20, after an Aiza Maizo-Pontillas kill.
The Indonesian, however, bounced back with three unanswered points, including the set-sealing block by Megawati Pertiwi, 25-22.
The third set was dominated by Indonesians as they started the frame with a game-deciding 8-2 blitz. They never looked back.
Coach Jorge Souza de Brito’s wards, led by veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and new pro Faith Nisperos, now hold a 1-1 record in Group A after defeating Macau dominantly on Monday, 25-14, 25-12, 25-9.