Unfortunately Pilipinas player celebrates with fans after sealing a semi -final berth in the AVC Nations Cup. -Avc photo
Everyone looking for a reason to be proud of Independence Day has found one in unfortunately Pilipinas.
The national women’s volleyball team leaned on a trio of collegial stars and hammered a 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 upset by Kazakhstan to get the Asian volleyball confederation (AVC) women’s volleyball nations Cup Semifinals for the second consecutive year.
No one was more delighted than skipper Jia Morado-de Guzman after the stunning victory in Dong Anh Arena in Hanoi, Vietnam.
“To be honest, immediately after yesterday’s game, the moment we got into the dugout, our minds were already aimed at Kazakhstan. We knew it would be a tough game today, and we had to do our best to win,” said the Guzman in
Philipin.
“I still can’t believe that we have won in Straight sets. We just told us that we would step on the field and do what is needed to win and I am so proud of my teammates.”
But as big as the victory for the team had been, it was an even greater victory for the national program.
The win of the win was a trio of Uaap stars – Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon and Angel Canino. And the young people were hardly stunned by the enormous size of the moment.
“In the past I had the opportunity to face Kazakhstan several times, and they always have different sets of players,” said Belen, who recently became pro and was prepared by Capital1 in the PVL. “But I have deep in my mind that we can beat them.”
‘Finally clicked’
The triple Uaap MVP and Champion ended with 16 points, while her national university teammate Solomon added 14. The two stars graduated from the Lady Bulldogs program as champion after beating La Salle, whose own highlight was also delivered for the victory.
Angel Canino, the Lady Spikers star, also had 14 points when the Philippines, arranged in the world in 47th place, took advantage of the absence of injured Kazakhstan star Sana Anarkulava to notify his fourth victory in five games.
“We did not expect that the competition would only go three sets; they are a strong team,” said Canino, the most consistent Helas Pilipinas -striking so far. “What happened in our previous games were precious lessons for us.”
Kazakhstan fell to the same record as the Philippines, but lost the first place in Pool B via the tiebreak.
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“It doesn’t matter to whom we are confronted in the next round, this victory is a huge boost for our confidence. That is exactly what we needed from today’s game and even the other victories in this round. I still can’t believe it, but I am so happy,” said the Guzman. “We are looking for our rhythm during the tournament and it finally clicked at the perfect moment against Kazakhstan.” —An with a report from Lance Agcaoili
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