Pinoy Spikers (Philippine Spike)

DESPITE playing its best game in the tournament, the Philippines went home empty-handed in the 12th Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championships.

Indonesia rebounded from a third set loss to subdue the Nationals, 25-22, 25-17, 26-28, 25-18, and claim seventh place at the end of the competitions Saturday at the Vinh Yen Gymnasium in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.

By taking the third frame, the Philippines booked its first-ever set win in the tournament, but the Nationals could not sustain the momentum in the next set to end their campaign without a victory in six assignments.

The Philippines, which is using the competition as part if its Southeast Asian Games buildup, wound up in last place in the eight-time field of the event sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation.

The Indons were actually headed for a straight sets win, racing to a 16-8 entering the second technical timeout.

Still trailing at 19-23, former collegiate standouts Rachel Daquis and Aiza Maizo led the Nationals gallant comeback to tie the count at 23-23.

With the Indons moving closer to match point, 24-23, Maizo took matters on her own hands by scoring a isang drop shot and a backrow attack for the Philippines to inch closer to set point, 27-26, and never looked back.

The Nationals were still in the thick of things in the fourth set, 5-5, but Indonesia pulled away for good, taking an 18-11 spread.

The Philippines missed the services main libero Patricia Torres due to injury. (TJ)

MAKING its first stint in five years, the Philippines tackle host Vietnam at the start of the 12th Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam on Sunday.

The last time the Nationals competed in the annual club championships was in 2006, when the Accel-sponsored squad placed sixth in the event held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

After the 7:30 p.m. duel with the Vietnamese, the other scheduled Pool A classification round matches for the Philippines are against Iran on Monday night and Asian powerhouse Japan on Tuesday afternoon.

The winner of this week-long tournament sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation will represent the continent in the World Women’s Club Volleyball Championships slated next year.

Mayette Carolino, Michelle Carolino, Rachel Daquis, Tina Salak, Cherry Macatangay, Dahlia Cruz, Suzanne Roces, Mary Jean Balse, Pau Soriano, Aiza Maizo, Zharmaine Velez, Nica Guliman, Hezzymae Acuna, Janette Doria and Patricia Torres are expected to deliver the goods for the Nationals.

Sammy Acaylar is the head coach, along with assistants Ron Dulay and Norman Miguel, while Philippine Volleyball Federation president Gener Dungo will serve as the team manager and head of delegation.

The Philippines will use the tournament as part of its preparations for the Southeast Asian Games in Indonesia later this year.

Reigning two-time champion Thailand, represented by Federbrau, leads a tough Pool B along with Kazakhstan, China and Indonesia.

In last year’s final, the Thais beat the Kazakhs to retain the crown.

Since the event started in 1999, the Philippines has never garnered a podium finish.  (TJ)

THE Philippines will field a team, the first in a long while, in the 12th Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship slated on June 19-25 in Vinh Phuc, Vietnam.

The winner of the week-long tournament sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation will be the continental representative in the FIVB World Women’s Club Volleyball Championships which will be held later this year.

Mayette Carolino, Michelle Carolino, Rachel Daquis, Tina Salak, Cherry Macatangay, Dahlia Cruz, Suzanne Roces, Mary Jean Balse, Pau Soriano, Aiza Maizo, Zharmaine Velez and Nica Guliman will strut their wares for the Philippines.

Sammy Acaylar is the head coach, with Ron Dulay and Norman Miguel serving as assistant mentor and trainor, respectively.

Philippine Volleyball Federation president Gener Dungo will be the team’s manager and head of delegation.

The Philippines belongs to Group A along with host Vietnam, 2010 third placer Japan and Iran.

Reigning two-time champion Thailand, represented by Federbrau, will be in Group B along with Kazahkstan, China and Indonesia.

This will be the first time that the Nationals will field a team in the annual club championships since 2006, where the Accel-sponsored squad placed sixth in the event held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Since the competition started in 1999, the Philippines has never achieved a podium finish.  (TJ)