Creamline-Philippines finally entered the win column after outlasting Iran, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14, Wednesday in the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women at the PhilSports Arena.
The Nationals rose to 1-2, joining the Iranians in the third spot.
With Iran threatening to come back after taking the third set, the Philippines did not leave anything to chance, racing to a 14-7 opening in the fourth before extending the lead to a high of 12, 23-11.
After the Iranian team fought back with three straight points, an attack error by Mahsa Kadkhoda and a Jema Galanza tip off a misreceive iced the win for the Cool Smashers.
"'Yung game ngayon siguro nag continue lang 'yung improvement every game kasi nung first [two games] maganda naman 'yung nilaro ng team kahit hindi nakuha 'yung wins especially kahapon," said Philippines head coach Sherwin Meneses.
Michele Gumabao gave the country the first frame after a down-the-line kill to cap a 7-4 run, 25-19.
Another huge blitz was mobilized by the Philippines in the second, this time a 10-4 blast to turn a 15-18 deficit to a 25-22 win.
However, Iran did not back down without a fight, zooming to a 13-6 start, ultimately taking the 25-20 scoreline to deny the Philippines a sweep.
Galanza was at the forefront of the Philippines' attack with 21 points, eight in the game-clinching fourth salvo.
Tots Carlos and Gumabao unloaded 14 and 13 points, respectively, while Jeanette Panaga and Ced Domingo had nine apiece.
After being blanked by China in the blocking department yesterday, the Philippines responded with an 11-block outing with Panaga getting three, while Domingo and Carlos got two each.
Elahe Shahdehsari was the lone bright spot for Iran with 13 points, while Kadkhoda got nine.
The country will look to book a spot in the crossover quarterfinals tomorrow against the young and winless South Korea at 7 pm.
"Malaking epekto ito (bukas) kasi syempre galing ka sa panalo. Sana lang ma-maintain o madagdagan namin 'yung improvement namin kada game kasi napakaimportante na mag-improve every game saka 'yung mindset nila nakakapag-adjust na sa international," added Meneses.
