Pinay spikers miss semis bus

The Philippines bombed out of the Final Four race after suffering a stinging, 18-25, 22-25, 25-21, 20-25, defeat at the hands of Australia in the quarterfinals of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women Friday night at the Tridharma Sports Hall in Gresik, Indonesia.

Faith Nisperos and Shaya Adorador tried to energize the Nationals as veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas struggled in form but the Filipinas failed to find their groove in time and missed the semifinals bus.

The Australians led by wingers Ella Schabort and Emma Burton pounced on the sluggish Filipinas to take control of the match early on their way to snatching their first win in the tournament.

Australia closed the round with a 1-2 win-loss record tied with the Philippines but took the third spot via higher match point compared to the Philippines, 3-2.

Both teams are relegated to the classification round for fifth to eighth place starting Saturday.

Host Indonesia and India, who are playing as of posting time, advanced to the next round and will face Vietnam and Chinese-Taipei in the crossover semifinals.

India, which lost to the Philippines in five sets last Wednesday, has secured a semis seat even if it loses to Indonesia as it holds a superior match point over the Aussies and Filipinas.

Schabort scored five of Australia's last seven points including the    match-clinching crosscourt hit to finish with game-high 28 points. Burton added 16 markers for Australia, which will face Uzbekistan Saturday to start the classification round.

The National woke up from stupor in the third set to avoid a shutout and kept the game close until midway in the fourth frame.

Australia shattered a 16-16 deadlock with back-to-back points before AC Miner scored on a kill block to stop the run.

Schabort unleashed three straight points to spark the Australians' 6-1 blitz she capped with a crosscourt hit for the match point, 24-18.

Eli Soyud and Nisperos saved two match points for the Filipinas before Schabort's finishing blow.

Nisperos led the Nationals with 16 points.

The Philippines take on Iran on Saturday at 3 p.m. (Manila time).