Screenshot from OneSports livestream
Underdogs Alas Pilipinas returned to the Asian Games after eight years displaying tenacity, but China lived up to its lofty billing, handing the Nationals an 18-25, 22-25, 8-25 defeat in the women’s volleyball competition on Wednesday at the Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan.
World No. 56 Philippines engaged No. 7 China in a second-set war of attrition after dropping the opener, trading leads multiple times before the nine-time champions pulled away, 20-16.
Alas responded with a sturdy defense, forcing China into a couple of mistakes before Thea Gagate scored with a block to tie the game at 20-20.
The Chinese spikers countered with a 3-0 blast before the Filipinas saved two match points, with Bella Belen scoring, 22-24.
Xin Tang attacked to end the frame and put China one set away from the sweep.
What worked well in that loud second-set uprising turned into complete silence in the third stanza as the Philippines ran out of fuel.
China smoothly cruised to a comfortable 15-4 lead, eventually mounting it to a 24-8 spread at match point.
Alas Women will next face Kazakhstan on Thursday, September 18, where a win will make their quarterfinal hopes alive.
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