Alas girls fall to Japan, face must win vs Indonesia at AVC U18

Alas Pilipinas girls’ Sharina Rhayza Lleses in action during the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Girls’ U18 Championship. –AVC PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas girls yielded to Japan, 20-25, 17-25, 24-26, in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Girls’ U18 Championship on Thursday at Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

Alas put up a gallant stand in the third set, taking a 19-18 lead from Adeleine Terese Agustin’s attack. But last year’s runner-up was too much, regaining momentum and reaching match point, 24-22.

Article continues after this advertisement

Sharina Rhayza Lleses drilled a much-needed kill to save a point, followed by Ysabelle Patricia Cruz’s equalizing block to force a deuce, 24-all. However, Rina Yamamoto put Japan back on top with an off-the-block hit before Auru Kato nailed the game-winning block on Ella Gonzalvo.

FEATURED STORIES

SPORTS

SPORTS

SPORTS

With Xyz Rayco being limited to one point, Lleses stepped up for Alas with 15 points on 13 attacks, one block, and an ace.

“It was a good game. We fought hard. We tried to win, but there’s still something missing. We will fight again tomorrow, hopefully, we’ll win,” said the 14-year-old Lleses, a Grade 9 student from King’s Montessori in Quezon City.

Gonzalvo, a Best Outside Spiker in their bronze medal run in last week’s Princess Cup, had 10 points. Cruz chipped in seven points on four attacks, two blocks, and one ace.

Article continues after this advertisement

The Philippines dropped to a 1-1 record in Pool C, needing to win against Indonesia on Friday at 5 p.m. to advance to the quarterfinals.

The semifinalists in the championships will qualify for the U19 World Championships next year. The FIVB has yet to announce the venue.

“We had many opportunities that we did not maximize. We know that Japan is tough, we gave it our best,” said Alas coach Karl Dimaculangan.

Article continues after this advertisement

The 5-foot- 9 Llesses is part of the national team that qualified for the FIVB World Girls’ U17 in Chile from August 6 to 16, with Rayco, Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Princess Khaira Manzano, Irish May Mahinay, and Frances Dianne Ramos.

“Japan is always hard to beat and to be able to play against them is an opportunity. Our players are not used to against a fast-paced team such as Japan,” team manager Carmela Gamboa said. “They rallied towards the end, it was a close game, they just fell short. Hopefully, they learn from this game and be ready against Indonesia.”

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

Rio Nishimura finished with 16 points on 14 attacks and two blocks while Kadiatou Kaba added 12 points on 11 attacks and one ace for Japan, which advanced to the next round with a 2-0 card.