Filipina spikers falter in fifth set vs Kazakhstan, drops Asian Championship opener

The Philippine national women's volleyball team ran out of steam late to surrender to Kazakhstan in five sets, 21-25, 25-17, 26-24, 25-27, 6-15, to kick off its campaign in the 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship on Wednesday in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The Filipinas fell to 0-1 in Pool D while Kazakhstan improved to 1-0.

A 6-1 run by Kazakhstan saw the Philippines deep in the winner-take-all fifth set before Alyssa Solomon and Nina Ytang unleashed an opposite attack and an ace, respectively, to cut the deficit to 3-6.

Vange Alinsug made it a 5-9 disadvantage before Kazakhstan fueled a 5-0 run to reach the match points, 14-6, before the Filipinas were unable to defend the final open attack from the opponents.

The Philippines will look to bounce back on Wednesday against China at 3 p.m. while Kazakhstan will take on Hong Kong at 12 p.m.

The country is bannered by the core of forner UAAP champion National University led by Solomon, Mhicaela Belen, Camille Lamina, and Erin Pangilinan with Jorge Edson Souza de Brito serving as head coach.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News