V-League selection ambushed in SEA qualifiers opener

MANILA, Philippines – Southeast Asian Games powerhouse Vietnam was too much for the Philippines opening its international campaign in a disappointing straight set loss Friday night at the Asian Southeastern Zone qualifiers of the Women’s Volleyball World Championship.

The host team overwhelmed the hastily formed Philippine squad composed of the brightest stars in the recently-concluded Shakey’s V-League, 25-9, 25-11, 25-18, in Quang Tri, Vietnam.

Vietnam ambushed Philippines in the first two sets. But the visiting Filipinas salvaged some measure of pride in the third set as they kept it close 16-13 before the Vietnamese broke away for good in the homestretch.

The Philippine team is bannered by Shakey’s V-League MVP Dindin Santiago, Finals MVP Rubie de Leon, Myla Pablo, Jennylyn Reyes and 6-4 Jaja Santiago of league champion National U, Ateneo’s Alyssa Valdez, UST’s Maika Ortiz and Rhea Dimaculangan, Iari Yongco, Adamson’s Pau Soriano, Lari Yong of La Salle-Dasmariñas and Suzanne Roces.

They will look to rebound from the opening-day loss when they face Myanmar today before rounding up their group assignment against Indonesia on Sunday.

The Filipinas are hard pressed to move to the Asian qualifiers as only the top team from the Southeast Asian zone will advance.  Four tickets to the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championship in Italy will be at stake in the Asian qualifiers.