Alas Pilipinas Women kept the gap close in the first two sets before succumbing badly in the third set against defending champion China, 18-25, 22-25, 8-25, in their opening match in Pool B of the women's volleyball tournament in the 20th Asian Games on Wednesday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium.
The Filipina spikers showed promise and even led at several moments early, but the Chinese side found the answers to win the match in straight sets.
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During the opening chapter, Alas Women were in striking distance early, getting within two points, 13-11, before China pulled away, rallying to a 20-13 cushion.
The Nationals tear down the lead to four at the 22-18 mark, but the Chinese team found the three straight points, including the set-clinching attack from Xin Tang.
In Set 2, the Jia de Guzman-captained squad even tied at 20-apiece off a Thea Gagate block, but the finishing kick was there for the home crew.
Aoqian Wang ended a long rally that put China up 23-20, as Tang nailed an ace to reach set point.
Bella Belen’s off-the-block hit and Yushan Zhuang’s attack error kept the Philippines alive momentarily, but Tang was there again with the kill, closing out Set 2 in China’s favor, 25-22.
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The Chinese squad raced to a 19-4 scoreline in the final frame, asserting dominance with their sharp and accurate spiking complemented by their superb defense.
Tang finished with 18 points built on on 16 attacks and two aces, while Zhuang follwed through with 17 points on 15 spikes and two blocks.
Angel Canino held the fort for Alas, tallying 14 points on 13 attacks and one ace, while Eya Laure added 10 attack points. Alyssa Solomon chipped in nine markers, while the far next in Alas scoring was Gagate with three points.
Next up for the Philippines is Kazakhstan, scheduled for Thursday, Sept 17.