THE Philippines’ Monolith Skyrisers absorbed their first loss 15-25, 20-25, 22-25 yesterday at the hands of Vietnam’s LP Bank Ninh Binh in the Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship at the Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand.
Backed by the core of reigning UAAP champion National University, the Skyrisers could not replicate their 25-19, 25-18, 19-25, 25-18 win over Iran’s Saipa Club last Sunday against a foe bannered by Vietnam national team ace Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen.
Opposite spiker Alyssa Solomon and skipper Bella Belen fired 14 and 13 points, respectively, for the Sherwin Meneses-mentored Monolith belles.
Vange Alinsug and Erin Pangilinan combined for 13 markers for the Philippines.
Leading the way for LP Bank Ninh Binh’s first victory was Tuyen who exploded with 24 markers while Nguyen Thi Trihn, who also plays for Vietnam national team, and Thai import Seetaloed Warisara delivered 14 and 10 points, respectively.
With the result, LP Bank Ninh Binh tied the Monolith Skyrisers with 1-1 record in Pool B.
The eventual AVC champion and runner-up will book spots in the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship, set from Dec. 16 to 22, and will compete against Italy’s Carraro Imoco Conegliano and Allianz Vero Volley Milano, Brazil’s Gerdau Minas and Dentil Praia Clube, Egypt’s Zamalek SC and the host team from China.
