Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — The national women’s volleyball team showed their true form, beating Malaysia, 25-15, 25-18, 25-16, in the volleyball competition of the 2015 Southeast Asian Games on Thursday (June 11).
Alyssa Valdez paced the Philippine squad with 13 points (12 spikes and one block), while Dindin Santiago-Manabat added eight.
Rachel Anne Daquis and Jovelyn Gonzaga each chipped in seven markers.
Philippines started the match on a high note, using strong blocking late in the first set to win, 25-15, for a 1-0 lead.
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In the next canto, the national team again looked solid on offense, establishing a 23-16 advantage after kills from Valdez and Daquis.
An error from Valdez and a Daquis attack that went out brought Malaysia within five, but they handed over the second set to Philippines, 25-18, after a service error and a wide shot.
The Philippine team’s momentum carried over into the third set as they erected a huge 15-6 lead after a drop ball from Valdez. Malaysia would score two straight points but the Filipinas went on a 3-0 spurt, capped by a backrow attack from Daquis, to go up by 10 points, 18-8.
Malaysia drew closer, 21-14, after Bea De Leon’s attack got blocked but Philippines closed the third set with a 4-2 blast to win the game, their first of the tournament.
The national women’s volleyball team will next face Vietnam on June 13 at 10AM.
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