PH creams Australia, earns shot at fifth place

The Philippines-Creamline team celebrates a victory over Australia. —PNVF PHOTO

A fagged out Philippines-Creamline side helped in great deed by a limping Jema Galanza on Sunday pulled out a come-from-behind 21-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory over Australia to earn a shot at a fifth place finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup at PhilSports Arena.“(We) fought, gave everything and played our hearts out in the game,” an emotional Galanza said in Filipino after helping the Filipinos bounce back from 1-2 down to conquer the Volleyroos in two hours and 31 minutes.

“I’m just happy. Maybe I also felt exhausted since we played consecutive games. I’m just thinking of the people who are doubting our team. but we still got this far. I’m really happy how the team fought in this tournament,” she said.

Tots Carlos also delivered the goods for the Philippines, which will battle formidable Chinese-Taipei for fifth place Monday at 1 p.m. The Taiwanese swept Iran, 25-23, 25-19, 25-17, earlier.

“We’re already here. We won’t let go of this chance. This could be our best finish for the Philippines in the AVC (Cup). So we will push hard and fight for it,” Galanza, who took pain killers before the game, said.

Carlos finished with a tournament-high 26 points, while Galanza scored 11 of her 18 points in the last two sets to spark her team’s amazing comeback.

Celine Domingo was also instrumental with 15 points from 11 attacks, three blocks and an ace, as setter Jia De Guzman orchestrated the brilliant plays.

“(Fatigue) was a big factor. But the game must go on. Our players are really competitive. They still gave their 100 percent despite playing weary,” said Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses in Filipino. INQ