Philippine spikers drop 5-setter vs Indonesians

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine women’s volleyball team failed to sustain a strong start and bowed to Indonesia in five sets, 21-25, 28-26, 25-12, 18-25, 9-15 in Day 1 of the inaugural ASEAN Grand Prix at the Terminal 21 Mall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Five players reached double digits in a scattered attack by the Indonesians, who flaunted their experience after staring at a 1-2 deficit. Arsela Nuari Purnama led the Indonesians with 18 points on 16 attacks.

Ratri Wulandari (14), Megawati Hangestri Pertiwi (13), Wilda Sugandi (12) and Agustin Wulandari (11) threw in solid support for Purnama as Indonesia got off to a good start in this four-nation tournament that serves as a build-up for the 30th Southeast Asian Games this November.

Indonesia, the runner-up to champion Thailand in the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, took the opening frame at 25-21 before the Nationals retaliated in the second set, 28-26.

Behind the timely hits of ace hitter Kalei Mau and veteran Ces Molina and the on-point blocking of Majoy Baron, the Filipinas  stunned the Indonesians with a dominating 25-12 third-set and moved on verge of a huge upset win.

But that’s when the Indonesians rediscovered their fiery form, coming away with a convincing 25-18 and 15-9 win in the fourth and fifth sets, and took the tight contest in two hours and five minutes.

Molina got away with 18 markers on 16 kills, Baron chalked up 17 on five blocks while Mau added 15 in a foiled effort for the Philippines which played without top gun Alyssa Valdez, who is nursing an ankle injury.

The Philippine team tries to get back on track at 3 p.m. (Manila time) today against 13-time SEAG champion Thailand before wrapping up its schedule against Vietnam tomorrow.

This ASEAN GP is the first in the region, and will have its second leg in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Oct. 4-6, also serving as a test event for the volleyball competition in the SEA Games.