Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, June 9, 2024 – Hosts Thailand and Philippines continued hot streak at the 22nd “Princess Cup” Women’s U18 Southeast Asian Volleyball Championship at the Nakhon Pathom Gymnasium after powering past Australia and Malaysia respectively on Sunday for two successive wins in the six-day tournament.
On Saturday, Philippines got their campaign opener off to a brilliant start following convincing win in their totally one-sided battle against Singapore, while Malaysia went down in thrilling three-setter against Australia.
Another win on Sunday carried the Filipinas’ momentum to a 2-0 win/loss record in the single round-robin competition.
Both Philippines and Malaysia started the opening set with almost similar standard which saw the score leveled at 6-6 and 10-10 from the beginning. After that, Philippines found their touch as they broke away with a four-point advantage at 19-15 and extended it to 23-20. Outside hitter Denesse Daylisan attacked well to bring Philippines to the set point 24-20 and Maile Paz Salang and Avril Denise Bron solidly blocked a spike from Tian Ye Eunice for the eventual 25-20 win in the set.
Conceding one set, Malaysia cruised their way back from trailing closely 3-5 to catch the Philippines at 8-8 and from then on, both sides put up a good fight, turning it into a tight contest. Malaysia continued leading the way, with Philippines hot on their heels. Leveling at 27-27, Malaysia upped their tempo to bag two points in a row for the win in the hard-fought set 29-27.
In the third set, Philippines raced to a 16-10 lead, but Malaysia bounced back to trail close 16-17 and caught up with the opponents 21-21. Still, the Filipinas regained their composure to stay in front 24-22 before middle blocker Lianne Penuliar slammed a down-the-line hit to hand the team’s 25-22 win.
Malaysia tried hard to come back in the fourth set, but they committed unforced errors to trail far behind 17-24. A service from Akeyla Bartolabac went out wide, saving the day for Malaysia, but their challenge ended seconds later when Lianne Penuliar hammered an overpass kill for the Philippines’ 25-18 win in this set.
Denesse Daylisan and Kimberly Chelmei Rubin delivered 13 points apiece for Philippines, while Tian Ye Eunice scored a match-high 26 points from 21 attacks, two blocks and 3 aces on the Malaysia’s loss.
Philippines will next go up against Thailand in the battle of the two unbeaten teams on Monday, while Malaysia will…
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