The Philippines shoots for a semifinals berth as it battles Southeast Asian queens Thailand in the AVC Cup for Women quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena Saturday.
First serve is at 8 p.m.
The country hurdled Iran and young South Korea to finish third in Pool A with a 2-2 record. The Thais, the 2012 champions, placed second in Pool B with a 2-1 slate.
Coach Sherwin Meneses is no stranger to such big-time moments, as he was one of coach Dante Alinsunurin's trusted assistants in the Philippines' historic silver medal run in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. One of the highlights was the country's stunning reversal of the Thais in the semifinals.
“It's a different feeling because I was the men’s assistant coach and I'm now handling women’s. I'm happy with my experience in the men's and women's groups,” said Meneses.
“Hopefully, we can pull this one off because we know that Thailand is a very strong team. But the ball is round. Last time in men’s, we were able to win it. Hopefully, in women’s we can win,” he said.
Regardless of the result, the country has already surpassed its ninth-place finish in the 2018 edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
One of the most-anticipated match-ups is between setter Jia de Guzman and Thai counterpart Pornpun Guedpard, who became the country's top playmaker after legendary Nootsara Tomkom retired from her national team duties two years ago.
"Pornpun is playing for the national team for the longest time. We know how fast-paced she can set, she has the height. So we will do our best that we can," said De Guzman, who is on her first international stint since the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
Pornpun has high regard on De Guzman's play.
"Yes I have met her in the SEA Games. She is a very good player, very good setter. I think she can bring the best of them," said Pornpun about De Guzman.
All eyes will be on the Philippines' top guns Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao on how they will fare against Thailand aces Chatchu-on Moksri, Sasipapron Janthawisut and Pimpichaya Kokram.
In other quarterfinal matches, Pool A winners China will face Pool B's No. 4 Australia at 2 p.m., while Pool B topnotcher Japan will play Pool A's No. 4 Iran at 5 p.m.
Pool A runner-up Vietnam and Pool B's third placer Chinese-Taipei will open hostilities at 11 a.m.
The semifinals will be played Sunday while the medal and classification matches will be held on Monday.
