PH volleybelles fall to Vietnam, set up semis showdown with Thailand

KUALA LUMPUR — The Philippine women's volleyball team was unable to duplicate its stunning upset of Vietnam in the 2017 AVC Asian Women's Volleyball Championship when the two squads met again in the Southeast Asian Games.

Instead, the Filipinas were swept by the Vietnamese spikers, 24-26, 12-25, 23-25, at MiTEC's Hall 11 here on Friday afternoon.

The Filipinas were swept by the Vietnamese spikers, 24-26, 12-25, 23-25, at MiTEC's Hall 11 on Friday afternoon in Kuala Lumpur. PSC/POC pool

One day after a comfortable victory over host team Malaysia to open their SEA Games campaign, the Filipina volleybelles were off the mark against Vietnam, committing a host of service and attacking errors while struggling to keep up with the towering Tran Thi Thanh Thuy on offense.

The loss dropped the Philippines to 1-1 in Group B of the women's volleyball tournament, and while they are still safely through to the semifinals, they will be facing off against defending gold medalists Thailand.

"Tingnan natin," said coach Francis Vicente of their chances. "Bilog ang bola eh. Malay natin. Alam mo, 'yung pumasok lang sa Final 4, may na-achieve ka na naman eh. Tingnan natin, baka makabawi tayo."

Author: Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
Full Article: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/08/25/17/ph-volleybelles-fall-to-vietnam-set-up-semis-showdown-with-thailand