The young Philippine squad definitely turned some heads with its inspired, fearless performance.
The Philippine women’s national volleyball team fell short in its Southeast Asia Volleyball League (VLeague) opener after falling to Vietnam in four sets, 15-25, 25-19, 21-25, 9-25.
After a slow start in the first set, the Filipina volleybelles bounced back in the second, engaging the perennial regional powerhouse in a tooth-and-nail affair before eventually winning the set, 25-19, behind solid floor defense and timely attacks from the NU Lady Bulldogs duo of Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon.
The Philippines more than held its own again in the third set, taking the fight to the Vietnamese once more before the more experienced Vietnam squad started regaining its bearings to ultimately avert disaster and win its second set of the match. The hosts never looked back from there, imposing its will to start the fourth set and dominating it from start to finish.
Belen, UAAP Season 84's rookie-MVP, and Solomon were fearless against a most formidable foe as they led the way for the young Philippine squad, who are composed of the country's brightest volleybelles from the collegiate ranks. Joining the NU duo of Belen and Solomon are their NU teammates Shaira Jardio, Camille Lamina, Minierva Maaya, Evangeline Alinsug, Erin Pangilinan, and Myrtle Escanlar; Roma Doromal and AC Miner of the Ateneo Blue Eagles; and Niña Ytang and Kamille Cal of the UP Fighting Maroons. Incoming NU rookies Arah Panique and Abegail Pono round out the team.
The Philippines will look to bounce back on Saturday when they take on another regional powerhouse in Thailand at 5 p.m.