AT A GLANCE
The Filipina spikers hardly flexed their muscles against the host country, dominating the match from start to finish by firing attacks on all angles to nail their first win in the group stage.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia—The Philippine women’s volleyball team blasted an inexperienced Cambodian side, 25-5, 25-5, 25-5, to jumpstart its title campaign in the 32ndSoutheast Asian Games at the National Olympic Stadium here.
Members of the Philippine women's volleyball team pose for a photo before their game against host Cambodia. (Kristel Satumbaga)
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The Filipina spikers hardly flexed their muscles against the host country, dominating the match from start to finish by firing attacks on all angles to nail their first win in the group stage.
The PH spikers opened with a 13-2 lead and ripped the game wide open to 18-3 en route to the set victory and sustained their charge in the next two frames.
Team captain Alyssa Valdez did not play in the match, but her teammates led by Jema Galanza, Tots Carlos and Jia De Guzman had it all under control to school their rivals.
Cambodia is fielding a women’s volleyball team for the first time, and first-game jitters probably caught up against their players as they fell into a maze of errors for most parts of the match.
PH team’s Brazilian coach Jorge de Brito said they did not take the game lightly, knowing that Cambodia is determined to play with its heart and soul despite the lack of experience.
“Cambodia is on the way, even if we saw the difference on the playing levels,” said de Brito.
“It’s also how you put your team inside so they’re really committed.”
Up next for the Filipina spikers is Vietnam, silver medalist in last year’s edition, on Wednesday.
