PHL volleyball
The other night, the Philippine volleyball team celebrated as if it had claimed the title at the 6th Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup. It had, in fact, finished second to last in Pool C. Though it did win in four sets against Kazakhstan, its 1-2 slate in the grouping meant it would be unable to advance to the quarterfinals. And even as its stint in Thailand is far from over, its participation in the classification round projects a best-casescenario fifth-place finish should it go on to sweep its remaining matches.
That said, the Philippines does have reason to be proud of its performance so far in the tournament hosted by the Asian Volleyball Confederation and the Thailand Volleyball Association. For all the connotations its lone victory — and against youthful Kazakhstan to boot — had, there can be no discounting the effort it put up in its previous matches. It bowed in five sets to Australia in the opener, and again in five sets to Iran, more an indication of its lack of cohesion than its inability to take the measure of higherseeded opposition.
Given the way the Philippines suffered the twin setbacks, there is every reason to contend things would have gone its way had its roster been finalized much earlier and members been able to play with each other more. Instead, it went about adding half a dozen players a week before the competition due to erstwhile regulars’ outstanding commitments. That it actually took the first two sets against Australia and two of the first three versus Iran speaks volumes of its talent level and determination to take the measure of evident superiors.
There is, of course, the bigger picture to consider. Regardless of how the Philippines places in the AVC Cup, it will have earned the requisite experience in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games next year. Its bigger goal by far is to top the biennial meet in front of hometown fans. Meanwhile, it will march on, and regardless of the outcomes of its encounters, one thing is sure: It will not have tried its best every single time.
Regardless of how the Philippines places in the AVC Cup, it will have earned the requisite experience in preparation for the Southeast Asian Games next year. Its bigger goal by far is to top the biennial meet in front of hometown fans. Meanwhile, it will march on, and regardless of the outcomes of its encounters, one thing is sure: It will not have tried its best every single time.