Alas Pilipinas Under-18 bows to powerhouse Japan in straight sets in AVC Girls’ U-18 Championship

ALAS Pilipinas fought valiantly before falling to powerhouse Japan, 25-20, 25-17, 26-24, on Thursday but remained in quarterfinal contention in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Girls’ Under-18 Championship at the Terminal 21 Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

It was the first defeat for the Filipinas in two outings after turning back the Iranians, 25-19, 19-25, 25-23, 25-18, in Pool C play on Wednesday.

The Japanese, in contrast, seized their second win in a row that also punched it a ticket straight to the quarters.

The Nationals, whose trip were being bankrolled by National University team manager Bing Diet of Boysen and Monolith with backing from the PSC and the POC, though, could still snatch a berth there if they could hurdle the Indonesians, their Southeast Asian rivals, on Friday.

Sharina Rhayza Lleses fired 15 points on 13 attacks, a block and an ace while Ma. Ellaine Lorraine Gonzalvo chipped in 10 hits, all off spikes.

Ysabelle Patricia Cruz chipped in seven points on four attacks, two blocks and one ace for the team that copped a bronze in the Princess Cup last month also in Korat.

“It was a good game, we fought hard. We tried to win but there’s still something missing. We will fight again on Saturday, hopefully, we’ll win,” said the 14-year-old Ms. Lleses, a ninth-grader at King’s Montessori in Quezon City.

The 5-foot-9 Ms. Lleses is part of the national team that qualified to the FIVB World Girls’ U17 in Chile from Aug. 6 to 16.

Also in were Xyz Ellen Rayco, Jhaynna Love Bulandres, Princess Khaira Manzano, Irish May Mahinay and Frances Dianne Ramos.

But if they finish at least in the semis here, they will also book a spot to the World U19 Championship next year at a still undetermined venue. — Joey Villar