Spikers blast hosts, seek No. 1 vs Viets
Game today 2 p.m. – Philippines vs Vietnam
KUALA LUMPUR – The Philippines blasted Malaysia with an overpowering offense and pulled off an easy 25-18, 25-11, 25-16 victory to make the medal matches of the 29th SEA Games women’s volleyball event at the MiTEC Hall 11 here yesterday.
The Phl lady spikers peppered the Malaysians with attacks from various angles and repeated a straight-set win in their matchup in the 2015 Singapore SEAG.
Coach Francis Vicente drew a well-balanced offense from his attackers in the victory that guaranteed their semis entry.
Jaja Santiago top scored with 13 points, with Aby Maraño, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Alyssa Valdez, Aiza Pontillas and Kim Fajardo chipping in at least six hits apiece.
The host team bowed out of contention as it also dropped its opening match against Vietnam, 17-25, 7-25, 11-25, the previous day.
The Filipinas and the Vietnamese face off for top seeding in their group at 2 p.m. today.
“We need to continue our push. We can’t stop. We’ll work hard to be No. 1 in our group to avoid the No. 1 in the other group,” said Vicente.
“For sure, Vietnam will have a different strategy. But we’ll also have our strategy,” said Vicente on their match against Vietnamese whom they beat in a fierce duel in the recent Asian Senior Women’s Volleyball Championship in Biñan, Laguna.
“We have to have the mindset that we can beat them (Vietnam). At the same time, we can’t be complacent,” said team captain Mika Reyes.
Against the Malaysians, the Filipinas started a bit lax, giving up points on service errors.
“We have to cut down on our service errors,” said Reyes.
“Gustong madaliin, but they’re taking in on wrong angles,” said Vicente on their service lapses.
The Malaysians, however, just didn’t have an answer to all the Filipinos’ offensive arsenals.
Making the necessary adjustment after their jittery opening set, the Filipinas opened with an 8-0 binge in the next set then took a double-digit spread at 11-1.
There was no stopping Team Phl from there.