Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Indonesia spoiled the Philippine women’s volleyball team debut in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games with a straight sets victory, 25-22, 25-20, 25-14, on Wednesday (June 10).
Both teams traded blows in the first set before Indonesia, behind the offense of Aprilia Manganang, took a two-point lead, 22-20. Alyssa Valdez scored on an attack to keep Philippines close but Indonesia had enough to take the first set, 25-22.
In the next frame, Manganang again led the attack to help Indonesia take a 16-10 advantage after the second technical timeout. A running kill by Aby Marano a few plays after pulled Philippines within five, 18-13, but a service error gave Indonesia another six-point edge.
Philippines scored five straight points to pull within one, 19-18, but Indonesia doused the flames with a 5-1 blast to go up 24-19. A kill from Rachel Anne Daquis cut the deficit to four, but Manganang ended the set, 25-20, giving Indonesia a 2-0 set lead.
Watch: PH women’s team can achieve podium finish — analyst
The national team were looking to turn things around in the third set but Indonesia again established a five-point lead, 11-6, when Amalia scored off the block.
Valdez got one to go to bring Philippines closer, but Indonesia went on a 5-1 run to grab a 16-8 lead. The Indonesian team continued to flex their muscles in the latter part of the set to separate themselves from the Philippines, eventually closing out the third, 25-14.
Manganang had 13 points to lead Indonesia, meanwhile Valdez topscored for the Philippine squad with 15 markers.
The women’s volleyball team faces Malaysia on Thursday (June 11) at 10AM.
Related: Match schedule for PH women’s volleyball squad
