The Philippine national women’s volleyball team supported by Akari registered the best finish by the country in the Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup after nabbing sixth place in the nine-team tourney in Pasig last August.
Parading a core of multiple-time PVL champs Creamline, the Nationals dropped their first two matches before outworking Iran in a thrilling four-set affair and then shutting the door on South Korea to enter the quarterfinals.
The Philippines then bowed in a gallant battle with Southeast Asian powerhouse Thailand in the last eight, with Michele Gumabao and Tots Carlos carrying the flag and combining for 25 points.
Out of contention, the Nationals still soldiered on, defeating taller Australia in a roller-coaster five-set tussle.
Carlos exploded once more for the Philippines and delivered 26 points highlighted by 25 kills even as Jema Galanza and Ced Domingo also shone bright with a combined 33 markers.
The Nationals’ campaign, however, ended on a sad note, as Chinese Taipei swept them in the battle for fifth, 28-26, 25-21, 25-21.
Carlos and Galanza — the country’s main guns for much of the tournament — were silenced in the match and could only muster 15 points on 20.2% spiking efficiency. Nonetheless, the Philippines bested its ninth-place finish in the 2018 edition of the AVC Cup held in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
