PH spikers down Aussies for first win in U-19 tiff

MANIA, Philippines – The Philippines turned back Australia, 15-25, 25-21, 25-20, 23-25, 15-11, on Monday to nail its first win in the 18th Asian Women's Under-19 Volleyball Championship in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

University of the East standout Mary Anne Mendrez and National U mainstay Jasmine Nabor fired 18 hits apiece including a combined 30 on kills as the Lady Nationals barged into the win column after falling to the South Koreans, 17-25, 14-25, 17-25, the day before.

The Phl, which was composed of the same team that finished fourth out of eight in the Princess Cup ASEAN Under-18 Championship in Sisaket, Thailand just a few days ago, will face Chinese Taipei today for a chance to make the playoff round.

The Lady Nationals are bracketed in Pool D with South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Australia in this eight-day tournament participated in 15 teams including powerhouse teams China (Pool B), Japan (Pool C) and Thailand (Pool A).

The efforts of Nabor and Mendrez were a big turnaround to their subpar games against the Koreans wherein they were held to just eight and four points, respectively.

"The team knew we needed this win and they really gave it all to get it," said Phl team manager Peter Cayco, whose squad made it there through the help of Sonia Trading, Northstar Travel, Phl Superliga, UE, NU and Arellano U.