In its last assignment in the group stages of the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship, Rebisco went all-out and showed just what it was truly made of.
While the Filipinas still absorbed a four-set loss, 24-26, 25-22, 13-25, and 17-25 at the hands of Iran's Saipa, they still scored their first won set in the regional tournament inside the Terminal 21 competition hall in Thailand on Sunday.
Following the lead of team captain Aby Maraño, who was debuting in the tournament, the Philippines went toe-to-toe with the Iranians in the opening frame before running out of gas and succumbing, 24-26.
That momentum, though, carried over to the second set where Rebisco blazed to a 4-1 beginning. After Saipa tied the tally at 19, Mhicaela Belen and Majoy Baron then teamed up with Maraño for three unanswered points and a 22-19 edge.
The two teams then exchanged points before Dindin Santiago-Manabat put the finishing touches on the Philippines' breakthrough. Before the second period victory, Rebisco and Choco Mucho dropped a combined 13 straight sets.
Even though Saipa quickly countered to take the next two sets and the win, the breakthrough will undoubtedly boost the morale of the Filipinas who had to overcome the absence of Maraño, Manabat, Eya Laure, and Ivy Lacsina to start the tourney and then better regarded opposition.
Now the four have been cleared from health protocols and are ready and raring to contribute, Maraño and company have grand plans of upsetting host team Nakhon Ratchasima in the quarterfinals on Monday.
At the end of the group stages, Rebisco holds a 0-3 record, with defeats to Altay (KAZ) and Supreme Chonburi (THA) preceding the loss to Saipa. Nakhon Ratchasima, meantime, is the top team from the other group, with back-to-back wins against Choco Mucho (PHI) and Zhetyssu (KAZ).
On the other hand, Choco Mucho, the second of two Philippine teams, will face the host country's Supreme Chonburi.
The squad spearheaded by Fil-American spiker Kalei Mau failed to break through in any set during their first two matches, but nonetheless remains upbeat in taking on the Thai team that has won the championship three times in the country's pro league.
"We will fight on. We will bounce back," exclaimed setter Deanna Wong, through the Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
Choco Mucho fell victim to Nakhon Ratchasima (THA) and then Zhetyssu (KAZ), while Supreme Chonburi split its assignments, winning against Rebisco (PHI) and losing to Altay (KAZ).
Rebisco finally wins a set for Philippines in 4-frame loss to Iran's Saipa - ESPN Philippines
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