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[av_heading heading=’ PSL moves to Thai volleyball semis ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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Saturday, September 9, 2017
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MANILA – Philippine Superliga barged into the semifinals of the 2017 Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Cup Volleyball Tournament after beating Rangsit University26-24, 25-19, 25-23.
The Filipinas rounded out the final four teams, along with Bangkok Glass Volleyball Club, PEA-Sisaket and Khonkaen Star Volleyball Club, after the Wednesday night tournament win in Sisaket, Thailand.
Its entry to the semifinals made the PSL Selection team surpass the sixth-place finish of Foton Tornadoes, led by imports Ariella Usher and Lindsay Stalzer, in the same tournament last year.
PSL showed its aggressiveness behind Jovelyn Gonzaga and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas for an early lead. But Rangsit managed to keep the scores close, even forcing a 24-all draw before PSL scored back-to-back to take the set.
The Filipinas continued their momentum in the second set, with Mika Reyes and Marjana Philips leading the offense. Rangsit tried to rally back but conversions from Gonzaga and Reyes prevented the Thai team from moving closer.
Rangsit tried to stay in the game in the third set but the Philippines snatched the lead midway on powerful hits by Reyes. The Thais had their last run to come to within 23-24 but an error from them ended the match.
“We need to expose our local players to competitions like this. Kailangan masanay sila sa galaw ng foreign teams,” said head coach Shaq Delos Santos. “I like what I see from them but I expect more since we are in the semifinals.”
Also playing for PSL were Aby Maraño, Frances Molina, Rhea Dimaculangan, Angelique Dionela, Honey Royce Tubino, Relea Saet, and Shiela Pineda./PN
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