MANILA, Philippines – In their first game in eight years, the National Women’s Volleyball team suffered a straight set loss against India, 22-25, 24-26, 12-25, in the 17th Asian Seniors Women’s Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand on Friday.
The Power Pinays ran out of gas in the third and final set as they failed to win their first assignment in the tournament that pits teams from 16 Asian nations.
Ranked 16th in the AVC, the Filipino spikers failed to claw back in the third and final set after a heartbreaking second set loss, 24-26.
It was a neck-and-neck battle in the second canto after the Nationals tied the match at 24 following three straight points by Aiza Maizo, Wenneth Eulalio and skipper Angeli Tabaquero.
But the Power Pinays failed to sustain the momentum as India capitalized on their foe’s error closed the deal, 26-24.
This is the first time that the Philippines, backed by PLDT Home’s Fibr broadband, joined an international competition since 2005.
The Nationals have the chance to bounce back as they will face Iran on Saturday and powerhouse China on Sunday.
Aside from Philippines, India, Iran and China, also vying in the AVC are Kazakhstan, Australia, Mongolia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Chinese-Taipei, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Sri Lanka and host Thailand.
The Power Pinays are composed of Mitch Datuin, Chi Saet, Pau Soriano, Honey Royse Tubino, Joy Benito, Jheck Dionela, May Macatuno, Danika Gendrauli and Lizlee Gata-Pantone, with Nes Pamilar as head coach.