BY ABBY TORALBA
TEAM Philippines shrugged off a slow start to complete a come-from-behind win over Australia, hacking out a 21-25, 25-19, 19-25, 25-18, 15-12 victory yesterday in the classification round of the AVC Cup for Women at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Diana Carlos shone for the Creamline-backed Filipina spikers with 26 points off 25 off attacks and one kill block, while open hitter Jema Galanza tallied 18 markers.
Middle blocker Celine Domingo also had 15 points as the Philippines atoned for a 18-25, 25-23, 20-25, 9-25 loss to Thailand in the quarterfinals last Saturday.
The Philippines takes on Chinese Taipei today for fifth place in the continental tilt at the same venue. The Aussies clash with Iran for seventh place.
In the first match, Chinese Taipei whipped the Iranians 25-23, 25-19, 25-17.
Huang Ching-Hsuan led Chinese Taipei with 14 points, while Kan Ko-Hui and Chen Tzu-Yao delivered 10 markers apiece.
Maedeh Borhani Esfahani was the only Iranian in double-digits with 10 points.
“Kasi iyong five sets, nothing to lose naman kami so iyong mga experience sa mga ganoong situation naranasan na naman nila iyon. (Sinabi ko lang sa kanila) Just enjoy the game lang and limit our errors lang,” Philippine coach Sherwin Meneses said.
“The game must go on talaga. Napaka-competitive ng mga players namin. Talagang 100 percent iyan kahit may masakit sa (kanila) o wala, maglalaro iyan ng maganda,” he added.
After splitting the first four sets, the Philippines took a 12-9 lead in the fifth frame but the Volleyroos tied it but an attack error from the Australian side and a quick hit from Panaga put the Philippines at match point 14-12.
Carlos’ booming down-the-line hit sealed the Pinays’ thrilling triumph.
Caitlin Tipping carried the fight for Australia with 25 kills, while Stefanie Weiler and Rebecca Redgen had 17 and 12 points, respectively.