Pinays salvage 7th place in AVC Challenge Cup

The Philippines salvaged some measure of pride after beating Uzbekistan, 25-14, 13-25, 25-18, 25-18, in the classification round for a seventh place finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Challenge Cup for Women on Sunday at the Tridharma Sports Hall in Gresik, Indonesia.

Faith Nisperos capped her stellar showing in the weeklong tournament by firing 17 points to lead two other Filipinas in double digits.

The Nationals showed energy and enthusiasm that was absent in their embarrassing straight-set loss to Iran last Saturday at the start of the classification round for a respectable position in the 11-nation field.

Shaya Adorador uncorked 13 points while veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas produced 12 markers including two in the Philippines' closing 7-3 blitz.

Middle blocker Ezra Madrigal also played solidly in the frontline and chipped in nine points she iced with the game-winning hit.

The Filipinas were quick to recover after getting pummeled in the second frame to silence the feisty Uzbeks.

Nisperos fueled the Nationals' early separation with three straight aces to start the fourth frame. Uzbekistan trimmed its deficit to 14-12 after AC Miner committed back-to-back errors.

Setter Michelle Cobb calmly quashed Uzbekistan's uprising with a well-timed 1-2 play to spark a 4-1 run for an 18-13 advantage.

Dilnoza Boymirzayeva and Khodisakhon Toshkenbeyova tried to rally Uzbekistan back into the game but to no avail, as the Pinay spikers opened up a 24-16 lead following an Erika Raagas kill.

Uzbekistan saved two match points before eventually folding.

Boymirzayeva had 13 points while Toshkenbeyova tallied 12 markers to pace the Uzbeks.

The Nationals, composed mostly of professional players, are set to fly back to the Philippines in time for the start of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday.