Overachieving Filipino belles gain shot at fifth place AVC U16 finish
AMMAN, Jordan—A bunch of first-timers from the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao only had two weeks to prepare and play as one Alas Pilipinas girls team in the second AVC Asian Women’s U16 Volleyball Championship.
Short preparations notwithstanding, the young Filipinos have so far overachieved with a surprise run to the Final Eight that found them on equal footing with powerhouse countries like Japan, Chinese Taipei and Thailand.
And coach Edwin Leyva sees enormous potential, especially if he can keep the team together.
“We have different programs from different coaches and regions (before coming here),” Leyva told the Inquirer in Filipino after a heartbreaking 25-23, 15-25, 25-23, 23-25, 8-15 meltdown against Thailand on Thursday. “What we really want is to have one unified program. That way, when players are selected, they’ll have the same foundation and skills.
“Right now, there are too many variations.”
Leyva is proud of his wards, led by team captain and super scorer Xyz Rayco, as they still have a chance to finish fifth among 14 nations after a dominant 25-20, 25-19, 25-10 victory over Hong Kong on Friday night at Prince Hamzah Sports Hall.
“We’re going all out from here on because we’re fighting for a spot in the top five,” Rayco, who had 23 points off 19 kills, said in Filipino. “Reaching the top five would already be a big achievement for us, so we’ll give it our all.”
Middle blocker Madele Gale continued to step up with 11 points off seven kills, three blocks, and an ace. Jhenica Sadia chipped in six, as setter Resty Jane Olaguir continued to impress with her brilliant plays while scoring six points.
Nadeth Herbon chipped in five points, as Megan Hernandez scored four, highlighted by the last three points in the third to win the game.
“This experience means a lot to us, because when we come home, we won’t be on the same team anymore,” Rayco, a 14-year-old spiker, added. “We’ve grown so much from this international exposure.
“We’ll bring everything we learned here back to our respective teams and continue to build on it.”
Gale, who plays out of Sagay National High School, shares the same view as the team seeks the best possible finish for the country’s youngest national volleyball team.
“This was my first time joining a competition like this, and I truly value the experience,” said Gale, who had seven kill blocks for 12 points against Thailand. “When I return to my province, I’ll bring with me everything I’ve learned.”
