AVC Challenge Cup for Women 2023: PH volleybelles outclass India in five-set thriller

The Philippine women's national volleyball team (PWNVT) overcame India in a hard-fought five-setter match, 25-22, 26-28, 11-25, 29-27, 18-16, to remain in contention for a semifinal berth in the 2023 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women.

Veteran opposite spiker Aiza Maizo-Pontillas delivered 24 points for the Philippines to bounce back from a 1-2 deficit at Tri Dharma Petrokimia Gresik Gymnasium in East Java, Indonesia on Wednesday, June 21.

Shaya Adorador added 23 points, while Akari Chargers-commit Faith Nisperos contributed 14 markers.

The Philippine volleybelles squandered their 8-5 advantage in the fifth set, with Aswani Kandoth putting India at match point, 14-13.

Middle blocker AC Miner knotted the score at 14-all after denying Nirmal's attack.

Adorador and setter Djanel Cheng conspired to bring the Philippines to match point twice, but Kandoth did her job to level the frame, 16-16.

Adorador brought the Filipinas to their consecutive match point, 17-16. This time, Cheng ensured the Indians wouldn't see daylight longer as she nailed the game-clinching service ace.

As of writing, the Philippines and India had an identical 1-1 record.

PWNVT can reach the semifinals by defeating Australia on the last day of Pool E competitions on Friday, June 23, while hoping Southeast Asian neighbor Indonesia will defeat India.

The Indonesians swept the Australians, 25-13, 25-17, 25-16, to raise their mark in the classification round to two wins and zero losses.

The Jorge De Brito-mentored squad survived a late scare from India in the opening set but lost steam in Sets 2 and 3.

In the fourth set, Adorador unleased a personal 4-0 run built on three straight aces to give the Philippines a 23-21 lead after trailing by 19-21.

Eli Soyud provided the set point for the Filipino spikers, but the Indian side responded and tied the score before reaching match point, 26-25, thanks to Anushree Kambrath's kill.

Pontillas came to the rescue, hammering the Philippines' three out of four points to force a deciding fifth set.

In other classification round matches, Southeast Asian Games 2023 silver medalist Vietnam asserted its might against hapless Iran in straight sets, 25-10, 25-9, 25-18.

Meanwhile, Chinese Taipei pounded Uzbekistan in a dominant 25-7, 25-16, 25-16 fashion.

On Friday, the Vietnamese and Taiwanese sides will vie for Pool F's top spot, while Iran and Uzbekistan go head-to-head to end their campaigns on a high note.