The Philippine Women's National Volleyball Team triumphed over Macau, securing their place in the next round of the 2023 AVC Challenge Cup for Women.
The match, held at the Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gresik Gymnasium, witnessed the Philippines dominate their opponents with a resounding victory, claiming each set with scores of 25-14, 25-12, and 25-9.
One of the key factors behind the Philippines' triumph was their well-balanced attack strategy, orchestrated brilliantly by setter Djanel Cheng.
The team's wing spikers, Faith Nisperos, Shaya Adorador, and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, along with middle blockers Ezra Madrigal and AC Miner, executed their roles flawlessly, overwhelming the opposing team with their coordinated efforts.
The momentum swung in favor of the Philippines during the first set when Nisperos, Adorador, and Cheng took charge, turning a narrow 13-12 lead into a commanding 25-14 victory. Macau struggled to keep up, committing four of their eight errors during this crucial run.
While Macau briefly took a 6-5 advantage in the second set, the duo of Adorador and Madrigal swiftly turned the tide with an impressive eight-point streak, propelling the Philippines to a convincing 25-12 win and putting them on the brink of a clean sweep.
Unyielding in their pursuit of victory, the Philippine team replicated their winning formula in the third set. They unleashed a formidable offensive onslaught, swiftly transforming a 6-5 lead into a commanding 17-6 advantage. With sheer determination and skill, the Philippines secured their victory in just 63 minutes, leaving no doubt about their dominance on the court.
Led by the exceptional blocking prowess of Ezra Madrigal, who contributed six of the Philippines' 11 rejections, the team showcased their defensive prowess. They outperformed Macau in the service category as well, winning 6-3. The biggest discrepancy, however, emerged in the attacking department, with the Philippines amassing an impressive 40 spikes compared to their opponents' mere 12.
Michelle Cobb, reflecting on the team's exceptional performance, attributed their success to several factors, particularly their efforts to cultivate strong team cohesion. As a relatively newly formed team, the victory marked a promising start for the Filipinas and instilled confidence in their capabilities.
With their victory against Macau secured, the Philippine team is now set to face Indonesia in a highly anticipated match to determine the top spot in Pool A. The encounter is scheduled for tomorrow at 8 p.m. (Manila time).
Looking ahead, the Filipinas will be placed in Pool E for the next round, where they will compete against Australia and India.
In contrast, Macau concluded the pool play winless with a record of 0-2, and they will now enter the classification phase to determine their placement in the 9th to 11th positions.
