By ADRIAN STEWART CO
MANILA – Creamline-Philippines had its best finish in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup for Women when it landed at sixth in the 2022 edition, which closed on Monday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
The Philippine representatives put up a gallant stand in the entire game before bowing to Chinese-Taipei, 26-28, 21-25, 21-25, in the battle-for-fifth place match.
Creamline-Philippines, which came from a thrilling 21-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory over Australia on Sunday, showed no signs of fatigue as they gave the Taiwanese everything to handle in the extended first set before losing.
Chinese-Taipei took control of the next two with team captain Chang Li-Wen taking charge and was successful in holding down the Philippines’ ace spiker Diana Carlos scoreless in the third set.
Celine Domingo spearheaded the offense for Creamline-Philippines with 12 points, whileMichele Gumabao backed her up with nine markers, including two blocks.
Jessica Galanza and Jeanette Panaga contributed eight markers apiece with the latter producing three swats, while Carlos was well defended as she ended up with seven points.
With three victories, the sixth-place finish was the Philippines’ best-ever in a continental competition since a fifth-place in the 3rd Asian Championship in Fukuoka, Japan in 1983.
“Actually, the three wins is a blessing,” said coach Sherwin Meneses. “Three wins is history. We are very thankful for the players who sacrificed because the games are played everyday.”
Creamline-Philippines won two pool matches against Iran and South Korea, and edging Australia in last Sunday’s first classification game to surpass the country’s ninth place run in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand in 2018.
“From a ninth place finish in 2018 to sixth place in 2022, it’s a great improvement for us,” Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said./PN
