Asian Games: Philippines bows to China, out of medal contention in volleyball

JAKARTA—(UPDATED) The Philippines put up a gallant fight but still proved no match for mighty China in the women’s volleyball competition of the 2018 Asian Games on Wednesday night.

China, the defending Olympic champion, cruised to a 25-15, 25-9, 25-7 triumph to seal a place in the quarterfinals.

The Philippines, competing in the Asian Games for the first time in more than three decades, will now play in the classification phase.

• Volleyball: Philippines learned a lot from China — ‘Malayo pa talaga’

China has yet to drop a set in the Asian Games.

Despite the huge loss, Philippines head coach Shaq delos Santos said his team relished the experience competing against the No. 1 team in the world.

“Ako masasabi ko grabe, grabe sila maglaro. Kumbaga, ang lalaki nila pero grabe 'yung speed, skills, 'yung talent. Smart maglaro and talagang all out sila pagka naglalaro,” Delos Santos said of China.

“For us, napakagandang experience sa'min and hopefully, mas maging inspired kami. Sabi ko nga sa mga bata, di natin kailangan ma-down. Kailangan mas maging inspired tayo and kailangan may matutunan tayo every time na naglalaro tayo.”

The Filipinas were at their best in the opening frame, with Jaja Santiago getting attacks in despite the multiple blockers sent her way by China.

But they faltered in the second and third set, with China’s net and floor defense proving to be too much to overcome. A majority of the Philippines’ points in the next two frames came from China’s errors rather than its own effort.

Santiago led the Philippines with 16 points on 12 kills, three blocks, and an ace.

The Filipinas will next play Kazakhstan, a 0-3 loser to Japan in the quarterfinals, in the classification phase.

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