MANILA, Philippines – The best of the Shakey’s V-League fell way short in the Southeast Asian qualifiers of the 2014 FIVB Women’s World Championships in Vietnam after ending their campaign with a straight set loss to Indonesia, 20-25, 19-25, 22-25, Sunday night in Vietnam.
The Filipinas failed to carry over the momentum of their four-set victory over Myanmar the day earlier in falling to the Indons.
In what was a virtual battle for the second place with Vietnam sweeping the tournament to win the top spot, the Philippine lady spikers twice squandered leads in yielding the disappointing straight set defeat to finish the tournament at third spot with 1-2 win-loss card.
The Filipinas led 16-11 at the start of the opening set but allowed the Indons to come from behind and steal that one from them. The same thing happened in the make-or-break third set for the Filipinas surrendering a 16-14 lead on their way to the exits.
The Santiago sisters led the Philippines with Dindin scoring 14 points while Jaja adding 11 in the losing cause.
The hastily formed Philippine selection composed of the brightest stars of the recently-concluded Shakey’s V-League in favor of the ill-fated Bomberinas got swept by both Indonesia and eventual champion Vietnam in the four-nation tournament.
Vietnam will represent Southeast Asia in the Asian Cup where four tickets to the FIVB Women’s World Championships are at stake.