Philippines stuns New Zealand for first-ever World Cup win

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

Jul 25, 2023 04:52 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippines held its breath as forward Sarina Bolden fired the country’s first-ever goal against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, July 25, ultimately giving the debutant its maiden win before the 32,357 roaring fans at the Wellington Regional Stadium.

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The Philippines held its breath as forward Sarina Bolden fired the country’s first-ever goal against New Zealand in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, July 25, ultimately giving the debutant its maiden win before the 32,357 roaring fans at the Wellington Regional Stadium.

It came from an Angela Beard free kick into the box before Sara Eggesvik safely crossed the ball to Bolden, who then managed to get past through a crowd of players with a header for the Philippines’ historic first goal in the 24th minute of the match that wasn’t looking in favor of them in the beginning.

Before the Filipinas completed the lone goal of the match, the Ferns were dominating the possession with much aggression for the ball in the first 20 minutes of the game. 

And it was Bolden's defining moment that made the sudden difference, and from then on weathered the relentless attacks from the host nation especially in the second half.

Interestingly, like it was always meant to be, Bolden was the one who previously gave the Philippines a 1-nil halftime lead over New Zealand from a similar Eggesvik cross in their first encounter in a friendly match in September last year.

The Ferns, though, came through with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

This time, New Zealand's tireless attempts to find the back of the net and past Olivia McDaniel completely went for naught. 

In the 57th minute, Hannah Wilkinson, New Zealand's hero in its stunning win over Group A top seed Norway, headed the ball barely over the bar.

The Ferns continued to come around with near chances including a Jacqui Hand attempt in the 64th minute that just went wide to the left.

Three minutes later, Hand found an equalizer off Wilkinson's pass, but the goal was disallowed after a quick review from the referees and was ruled offside.

McDaniel through and through kept a clean sheet until the final whistle.

Filipinas make historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut vs Switzerland

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• This will be the maiden appearance for the Philippines, male and female, to play at the World Cup following a dramatic qualifying penalty shootout victory against Chinese Taipei in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup. 

After all the drama -- the long journey that was patchy and painful but momentous in every dash of recollection -- the fervor surely outweighs the pressure when history unfolds before the eyes of the Filipinas, the lady players of the Philippine National Women's Football Team, on Friday, July 21, against the imposing Switzerland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand.

The debuting world No. 46 Filipinas are looking to put everything on the line when they take on the No. 20 Swiss at 1 p.m. (Manila time) in their first-ever game in the grandest stage of all.

This will be the maiden appearance for the Philippines, male and female, to play at the World Cup following a dramatic qualifying penalty shootout victory against Chinese Taipei in the 2022 AFC Women's Asian Cup.

From then on, the Filipinas have dedicated the rest of their other competitions as part of their preparations to the World Cup.

The Nationals arrived in Dunedin a day prior to their match after setting camp in Auckland since last week, where they have suitably acclimatized themselves before the much anticipated debut.

It also seems that the Filipinas had a taste of what’s ahead in their mission after playing an unofficial friendly match against world No. 3 Sweden on Monday, July 17, where they fell 5-1.

Although there was no detailed account of how the game went down, the Nationals had gauged where they were at after wrapping up the hardest four-week training camp of their lives in Sydney, Australia.

Landing in Group A, the Philippines knew it was due for a tough climb as all opponents in the preliminary phase turned out to be ranked highly.

After its game against Switzerland, the competition is only about to get more challenging as the Philippines faces world No. 12 Norway on July 30 to wrap up the group stage.

However, the Alen Stajcic-coached Filipinas will surely put everything on the table and refuse to leave without a fight after also getting tangled with one familiar foe in host nation New Zealand on July 25.

The Philippines and world No. 25 New Zealand battled in an international friendly in September last year that saw the Filipinas take a halftime lead of 1-nil before conceding two goals in the second half.

The Swiss, though, expect a promising match against the Filipinas, who remain as the underdogs despite tremendous growth in the past year and a half.

With the exciting opportunity ahead for Philippine sports, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) announced earlier this week that Cignal TV Inc. has stepped up and secured the broadcast rights to the tournament which gives the country a chance to support the Filipinas in their maiden appearance in the biggest football showpiece.

“This is an exciting development for football fans in the Philippines with the Filipinas’ matches in the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be shown live on free television and other platforms of Cignal TV,” said PFF president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.

Cignal keeps semis bid alive, ousts Farm Fresh

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga’s joint effort boosted Cignal's semifinals bid after a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 rout of Farm Fresh in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Thursday night, July 13, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. 

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Ces Molina and Jovelyn Gonzaga’s joint effort boosted Cignal's semifinals bid after a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 rout of Farm Fresh in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Thursday night, July 13, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. 

Ces Molina and Rose Doria celebrate a point. (PVL Images)

The HD Spikers improved 3-1 in the Pool B standings to give themselves a better fighting chance for the next round. 

Molina finished with 16 points all from attacks while Gonzaga contributed 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks.  

With the win, the HD Spikers joined the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and the Petro Gazz Angels in a three-way tie as the race for a semis berth gets tighter. 

Kate Santiago paced the Foxies with 12 points as usual top scorer Gayle Pascual was held to a one point-outing. 

Farm Fresh, which absorbed its fourth consecutive losses in as many games, is set to face the also-ran Foton Tornadoes to qualify for the classification round. 

Filipinas unveil final 23 lineup for historic FIFA Women’s World Cup debut

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine women’s national football team's final 23 roster led by co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis has been unveiled ahead of the country’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut on Sunday, July 9.

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The Philippine women’s national football team's final 23 roster led by co-captains Hali Long and Tahnai Annis has been unveiled ahead of the country’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup debut on Sunday, July 9.

The Philippine national women's football team. (Photo from PFF)

The 23 players were named by coach Alen Stajcic as the Filipinas wrap up their four-week training camp in Sydney, Australia.

From 29 players, the Nationals were trimmed down to 23 who will then be tangled with higher ranked opponents in Norway (No. 12), Switzerland (No. 20) and host nation New Zealand (No. 25).

“We congratulate the 23 players who were selected for the Philippines in the FIFA Women’s World Cup and express our gratitude to the players who have committed and sacrificed to make themselves available throughout the selection process,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta.

“We wish our team all the best as they head to New Zealand for the final days of their preparation, before the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes.

“The next weeks will be the culmination of a year and a half of hard work, dedication and sacrifice by every member of our Team,” said team manager Jefferson Cheng. “This group of 23 represents the best of us, the best of the indomitable Filipino spirit, and I am excited to see them make all of us even prouder.”

The Philippines secured its first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup, male or female, when Sarina Bolden fired the go-ahead penalty kick in their dramatic win over Chinese Taipei in the Asian Cup in India in Jan. 2022.

Per the PFF, the team is set to fly out to New Zealand on Monday morning, July 10, to continue its final preparations for the biggest football showpiece.

The Stajcic-coached Filipinas headed to Australia last month for the hardest four weeks of their lives and will then set their base camp in Auckland once the tournament kicks off.

The acid test begins a few days earlier for the Philippines, though, as it is set to face world No. 3 Sweden in an unofficial friendly match which is meant to simulate the tall task they have ahead of them.

Goalkeepers:
Kiara Fontanilla, Kaiya Jota, Olivia McDaniel

Defenders:
Alicia Barker, Angela Beard, Reina Bonta, Malea Cesar, Jessika Cowart, Sofia Harrison, Hali Long, Dominique Randle

Midfielders:
Tahnai Annis, Ryley Bugay, Anicka Castañeda, Sara Eggesvik, Quinley Quezada, Jaclyn Sawicki

Forwards:
Sarina Bolden, Isabella Flanigan, Carleigh Frilles, Katrina Guillou, Chandler McDaniel, Meryll Serrano

Reserves:
Inna Palacios, Maya Alcantara, Isabella Pasion

PLDT overpowers Akari

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The High Speed Hitters are off to a winning start after spoiling Faith Nisperos’ debut with the Chargers for their first win in Pool A.

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PLDT overpowered Akari, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Saturday, July 1, at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The High Speed Hitters are off to a winning start after spoiling Faith Nisperos’ debut with the Chargers for their first win in Pool A.

Dell Palomata and Rhea Dimaculangan lead PLDT to its first win against Akari in the PVL Invitational Conference. (PVL Images)

Rhea Dimaculangan, who tallied five points and 11 excellent sets, had the full rotation working with her playmaking as the High Speed Hitters finished with a balanced scoring.

Dell Palomata top-scored for PLDT with 14 points on 10 attacks, three blocks and an ace, while Jovielyn Prado finished with 13 points.

Mich Morente, for her part, added 11 points highlighted by three service aces.

It was an 18-5 start in the opening set for PLDT after Dimaculangan’s 1-2 play kept Akari’s defense scrambling.

The Chargers momentarily recovered and went on a 5-1 run capped by Lycha Ebon’s back-to-back points to cut the deficit by a single-digit, 19-10.

However, Morente took flight and hammered down three consecutive hits to widen the gap anew, 22-10.

Akari then pulled itself within nine after another 5-2 run finished off by Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s crosscourt attack, but Palomata punctuated the set with a quick hit.

After trailing 12-7 in the second set, Akari managed to dig itself out of the deficit and for the first time put the match at a deadlock of 13-all.

But it was the last time the Chargers came that close to PLDT as it quickly regained full control of the game to seize a 2-0 set lead.

The High Speed Hitters jumped to a 13-8 lead in the third set, but the Chargers showed some resistance and were able to close the gap at 21-18 through Trisha Genesis’ crosscourt shot.

Jessey De Leon and Palomata, though, scored two successive points for PLDT to maintain some distance from Akari.

Santiago-Manabat continued the fightback for the Chargers with an off-the-block hit before committing a costly service error that put High Speed Hitters at match point, 24-19.

A 3-0 run gave Akari some semblance of life, but Palomata got back on her feet and denied Genesis at the net to seal the win for PLDT.

Meanwhile, Santiago-Manabat was the lone double-digit scorer for Akari with 10 points as Nisperos was held to a five-point outing.

The Chargers joined the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the Gerflor Defenders in the losing column in Pool A with one each.

Alyssa Valdez feeling like a ‘rookie’ in PVL return, hopes to regain best form soon

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Alyssa Valdez is hoping to regain her best form after making a full return to the Creamline roster in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Tuesday night, June 27.

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Alyssa Valdez is hoping to regain her best form after making a full return to the Creamline roster in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitational Conference on Tuesday night, June 27.

It was the Cool Smashers skipper’s first full game since suffering from a right knee injury, and while Tots Carlos top-scored for the defending champions with 24 points in their straight-set win against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, the team has rightfully turned to Valdez for her leadership.

Alyssa Valdez makes PVL comeback as a starter for the Creamline Cool Smashers. (PVL Images)

Coincidentally, it was also a game against Chery Tiggo that Valdez sustained the said injury during their battle for third place in the Reinforced Conference in Dec. 2022.

Valdez, though, captained the national team in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia last May, where she saw limited action.

“I really don’t know how to prepare for a game na kasi, except for the SEA Games, but it’s definitely different from PVL. Pero ‘yong kaba andoon. Iba rin naman ‘yong excitement na nafi-feel ko.  Para talaga akong rookie, so I hope I can have that mentality as well. Being a rookie, just being myself and just enjoying the match and helping my teammates," she said.

Interestingly, the Chery Tiggo lineup is stacked with UAAP collegiate standouts turned pro in Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez of the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses along with Cess Robles, Jen Nierva and Joyme Cagande of the National University Lady Bulldogs, something that gave Valdez added motivation to bring herself back in tip-top shape.

“Well, I'm very, very thankful that we got the win, everyone really stepped up. Ang ganda ng nilaro ng lahat sa team. And I'm just really lucky enough also na binigyan ako ni coach Sherwin (Meneses) ng pagkakataon na makalaro in today’s game,” Valdez furthered. “It’s really been a while since I last played. It’s really different to actually playing a full game also. But I am very grateful for the experience knowing also na isa din sa mga malalakas na team ‘yong nakalaban namin today.”

The 29-year-old veteran spiker, who is about to celebrate her birthday on Thursday, June 29 during Creamline’s second game against new PVL team Gerflor Defenders in Pool A, felt as though she was back in square one after being away from intense competition due to her injury.

“It’s quite different talaga siguro this is the longest na I have never played volleyball in my life, seven months. And lagi rin lang nila nire-remind sa akin na wag akong magmadali. I really have to trust the process, one step at a time, so ‘yon lang. I really think it’s a mental challenge naman coming in also knowing na I’m not getting any younger. And I had my injury just recently also, so I have to really take care of my body,” Valdez, who also tallied three points in her return, said.

“Pero ‘yon, pag pinasok kailangan talagang ibigay lahat and sana makatulong pa rin sa team. Pero hopefully magamay ko na ulit ‘yong volleyball court and I  really can’t wait na ‘yong smooth and may fluidity sa galaw ko rin sa loob ng court,” she added.

According to Valdez, she has recently been completing three-hour practices with the team, but still has to remain patient and wary when she's in action.

Now that she’s back in the team's rotation for good, Valdez is looking to become more involved in scoring and helping the team in its title defense.

PH bows to Indonesia in AVC Challenge Cup

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Philippine women’s volleyball team absorbed a straight-set beating at the hands of Indonesia, 25-17, 25-15, 25-10, in the 2023 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women in Gresik, East Java on Tuesday night, June 20.

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The Philippine women’s volleyball team absorbed a straight set beating at the hands of Indonesia, 25-17, 25-15, 25-10, in the 2023 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Challenge Cup for Women in Gresik, East Java on Tuesday night, June 20.

The Philippine women's volleyball team. (Asian Volleyball Confederation)

The quarterfinals-bound Philippines, which is coming off a commanding opening 25-14, 25-12, 25-9 victory over Macau a day prior, settled for the second seed in Pool A.

With the loss, the Filipinas arranged a match against India on Wednesday, June 21 at 5:30 p.m. (Manila time).

The Philippines still couldn’t solve the puzzle against Indonesia as it turned out to be a repeat of their recent meeting in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, where the PH spikers fell in their bronze medal match for the second straight edition.

Led by veteran Aiza-Maizo Pontillas and new pro spiker Faith Nisperos, the Philippines briefly held a one-point lead in the second set before the Indonesians went on a telling 11-4 run to put themselves on top, 20-14.

Still, the PH spikers came to their senses and responded with a 5-0 surge of their own to pull themselves within one, 20-19, but Indonesia was quick to get back on its feet with a finishing kick of 5-1 run.

Now holding a 2-0 set lead over the Philippines, it was all Indonesia in the third set as it easily raced to a 15-10 advantage.

However, there was no fightback from the Filipinas this time as the Indonesians breezily cruised to a 10-0 run capped by a painful attack error from Erika Raagas.

Alex Eala crushes German foe, advances to second round of W25 Monastir

BY NIKOLE JAVIER

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Alex Eala crushed German qualifier Anja Wildgruber, 6-1, 6-1, at the start of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Monastir in Tunisia Wednesday.

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Alex Eala crushed German qualifier Anja Wildgruber, 6-1, 6-1, at the start of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) W25 Monastir in Tunisia Wednesday.

The top-seeded Eala, who turned 18 the day before, hardly broke a sweat and held her serve throughout to destroy her opponent in 55 minutes.

Alex Eala. (Alex Eala on Facebook)

Wildgruber looked poise in the opening set after putting Eala in a deuce, which the Filipina overcame to hold serve and raced to an early 3-0 lead.

The German had her moments in the next sequence after scoring four straight points to hold serve for the first time, but Eala went on another three-game run to take the first set.

The second set was no different as Eala, the 2022 US Open Girls’ singles champion, refused to give Wildgruber any chance of a comeback to seal her first victory in the tournament.

The win set up Eala a second round meeting with 23-year-old Swiss Nadine Keller, a 6-3, 6-3 winner over wildcard bet Victoria Mikhaylova.