Host team drops PH in close match

PHOTO volleyverse JAKARTA, Indonesia – The Philippines put up a gallant stand before bowing to a well-trained, well-experienced Indonesian side, 20-25, 20-25, 26-24, 22-25, in the women’s volleyball competition of the 18th Asian Games Saturday night at the GBK Indoor Tennis Hall here.

Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago carried the scoring cudgels, but the Filipinos couldn’t contain the strong offensive performance by Aprilia Manganang, who wreaked havoc in the first two sets before sealing the deal in the fourth.

Manganang turned the match into her own show, finishing with 27 kills for 28 points while skipper Amalia Nabila Fajrina delivered four aces for seven points for the Indonesians, who are set to clash with Korea in the quarterfinals.

With Manganang at the attack zone, the Indonesians torched the Filipinos with 60 spikes while capitalizing on their 11 errors.

Still, Philippines’ head coach Shaq Delos Santos told Daily Tribune’s Asiad coverage supported by Primehomes that he praises the effort of his wards.

“Of course, I’m happy that we still managed to clinch a set against them,” said Delos Santos, noting that Manganang and the Indonesians crushed them in straight sets the last time they met in the Singapore Southeast Asian Games in 2015.

We still have a lot to work on as far as our volleyball program is concerned.

“It shows that we’re not yet in the level where they are right now and we still have a lot to work on as far as our volleyball program is concerned.”

“But I’m glad that the girls played their hearts out and refused to lose. They know that the Indonesians will be our top opponent (in the SEA Games) next year so they stepped up and delivered, especially in the third set.”