BY ABBY TORALBA
THE Philippine national women’s volleyball team dropped a 24-26, 22-25, 23-25 loss to Indonesia yesterday in their battle for bronze in the 2nd Asean Grand Prix at the Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima.
Megawati Hangesri Pertiwi powered Indonesia with 21 points to salvage third place.
The Filipina belles, made up of the core of the Creamline Cool Smashers, wound up winless in three matches and last in the four-team field.
The Philippines also lost to Thailand 17-25, 22-25, 12-25 last Friday and then to Vietnam 12-25, 16-25, 16-25 two days ago.
The Philippines reached set point in the opening frame 24-23 but the Indonesians refused to wilt following back-to-back block kills to stun the Pinays.
In the second frame, the Philippine team led anew 11-9 early but could not get the job done.
In another nip-and-tuck set in the third, the Philippines took a 21-20 cushion but Indonesia pulled the rug from under its foes.
Open spiker Jema Galanza led the Philippines with 16 points, while opposite hitter Michele Gumabao added 15 markers.
In the maiden edition of the meet in 2019, the Philippines bagged a bronze medal in two legs.
Last month, the nationals finished sixth in the AVC Cup for Women held at some soil.
