MANILA – Philippine representatives Choco Mucho and Rebisco exited in the quarterfinals of the 21st Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship on Monday at the Terminal 21 competition hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Choco Mucho was swept by Thailand’s Supreme Chonburi, 25-13, 25-22, 25-21 while Rebisco was beaten by the Nakhon Ratchasima Qminc VC, 25-11, 25-19, 25-18.
Choco Mucho and Rebisco will face each other in a classification game today to determine which of them will have a shot at finishing in fifth place.
Filipina-Hawaiian Tyler Marie Kalei Mau led the Choco Mucho in the losing effort with 16 points, while Mylene Paat chipped in 14 markers.
“We really tried to push ourselves to win this match but then we really fell short,” said Paat. “Still, I am really excited for the next match especially because it’s against a team that we’re familiar with and has a system similar to ours.”
Choco Mucho setter Iris Tolenada contributed not only in connecting Mau and Paat, but also in offense with four points, including three late in the third set.
“Iris played really well. She dictated the team’s offense and stepped up when I called her to do the playmaking,” Choco Mucho head coach Odjie Mamon said on his captain Tolenada.
Rebisco, on the other hand, tried their best to keep in step with the much-experienced and Thailand League winner Nakhon Ratchasima behind Ivy Lacsina and Faith Nisperos but was not enough.
Lacsina finished with a team-high nine points for Team Rebisco. Nisperos had six points while Ilongga Abigail Maraño and Dindin Santiago-Manabat delivered four markers apiece.
“We may have had some ups and downs, but we have a lot to improve on,” Nisperos said. “But I am so happy spiritually seeing how my teammates and I are really trying to fight.”/PN
