Philippines takes on Australia in AVC Cup opener

MANILA, Philippines — It’s going to be an all-out war as the Philippines opens its campaign against Australia in the AVC Asian Women’s Volleyball Cup Sunday at the 5,000-seater Chartchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand.

Bannered by skipper Aby Maraño, the Filipinas will clash with the Australians at 4 p.m. (5 p.m. in Manila), looking for an impressive win that would give them a headstart in Pool C of this prestigious competition featuring 10 of the best squads in Asia and Oceania.

Also landing on Pool C are Central Asian sides Iran and Kazakhstan, which destroyed the Nationals in a five-set thriller in the previous Asian Games in Jakarta three weeks ago.

Pool A, on the other hand, features host Thailand, Japan and Korea while pool B has the world’s best team in China, Vietnam and Chinese Taipei.

The Philippines needs to win at least twice to advance to the quarterfinals.

But winning over the Australians is easier said than done.

The last time they met in the Asian Seniors in Tianjin, China in 2015, the Aussies clinched a 25-18, 25-18, 24-26, 25-15 victory in their opening-day encounter.

Team captain Beth Carey, who used to play for Cignal in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix, will be at the helm for the Aussies, who saw action in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Challenger Cup in Almaty last May.

Head coach Shaq Delos Santos said it’s a great honor to play against the elite teams in the continent, but they have to temper their expectations.

In fact, they lost practically half of their Asian Games squad as Kianna Dy, Dawn Macandili, Majoy Baron, Dindin Manabat and Jaja Santiago already have prior commitments while Kim Fajardo begged off due to injury.

“As I’ve said during the Asian Games, any tournament of this level is a great opportunity for us to learn,” said Delos Santos, who steered the side to an eighth-place finish in the Asian Games.

“Our goal is to win a medal in the Southeast Asian Games next year so playing against the best teams in Asia is always a good exposure for us.”

With six players sitting out, the Nationals enlisted new faces like Jasmine Nabor, Melissa Gohing, Jema Galanza, Risa Sato and Gretchel Soltones while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas will make her return.

Marano, Cha Cruz, Mika Reyes, Maika Ortiz, Mylene Paat, Julia Morado, Alyssa Valdez, and Denden Lazaro will be back for another tour of duty.