Pagara-Progella tandem takes third

Alas Pilipinas’ Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella essayed a dramatic come-from-behind, 13-21, 23-21, 15-13, win over China’s Shuting Cao and Jie Dong to bag a historic bronze medal in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games women’s beach volleyball competition on Friday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

The Filipina bets, playfully nicknamed “PaElla,” showed resilience and incredible grit, escaping the jaws of defeat in an extended second set and a shaky third frame for the country’s first-ever podium finish in the Asiad event since its introduction in 1998.

Buried in a 4-8 hole after wasting an early three-point lead, the Filipinas answered with a 6-2 run that tied the deciding frame at 10 after an attack error by Cao.

Cao recovered the lead with back-to-back hits for a 12-10 China advantage. However, Cao’s costly service error gave Alas the golden opportunity to counter.

Progella, who reached the Round of 16 in the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou Asiad three years ago with former partner Grydelle Matibag, scored three straight points which sent Alas to match point.

Dong saved a point for the suddenly stunned Chinese. But Alas won’t be denied the podium as Dong surrendered the 52-minute match after misjudging her setup for Cao at the corner as the ball went over their side and hit the antenna.

It was a sweet ending for the Philippines, a quick turnaround from a painful semifinal loss to eventual gold medal winner Thailand on Thursday.

The Pagara-Progella tandem got into a world of trouble after a rough start as the taller Chinese dominated the opening set. Cao and Dong established a 19-17 lead in the second set and looked poised for a sweep.

Alas had a different plan in mind.

A one-handed dig by Pagara that went over to China’s side tied it at 19. The Chinese moved at match point before Pagara forced a deuce followed by a Dong error as Alas took the set point advantage, 21-20.

Cao fired back for another deadlock. Progella answered with a heady tip before Cao overcooked her attack, which sent the match to a third and deciding frame.

Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee prevailed over China’s Xinyi Xia and Xu Yan, 21-17, 13-21, 15-8, for the country’s second women’s title since ruling the inaugural staging of the competition in Bangkok.