SAN FELIPE, Chile-As Alas Pilipinas takes a step closer to the Round of 16 in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship, the coaching staff is taking measures to prepare the squad for bigger battles ahead.
Edwin Leyva and his staff made another calculated gamble, bringing in the second unit as early as the second set and letting them finish it off even after they squandered a huge chunk of the lead built by the starters.
Jello Andrea Mauricio came through with the finishing hit to close the set, and Alas Pilipinas went on to beat Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, for its second straight victory on Sunday at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.
The Philippines-supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission and Asics-improved to 2-1, climbing to second behind only China as the tournament takes a breather on Sunday.
Equally important, Leyva said, was getting Megan Hernandez, Taj Teves and Jhenica Sadia time on the floor to get their competitive juices flowing.
‘We’ve got players who, once you pull them out, start thinking clearly and get fired up even more,’ Leyva said. ‘And the second unit, meanwhile, tries to prove they belong on the floor and work harder to extend their minutes. In a way, you’re hitting two targets with one stroke.’
Team manager and assistant coach Karl Chan said seeing a big lead get whittled away was indeed stressful, but the second unit needed to learn how to fight its way out of the hole.
‘We could have simply sent back one or two starting wing spikers, but we didn’t doubt that they can get it done. It just took them a little more time,’ Chan said.
Leyva also said the staff is not surprised the Philippines is now closing in on the next round, with matches against Peru and Venezuela still on schedule.
‘We really knew this team can make waves here. We can win matches. The only challenge is adjusting. It’s cold, we’re in a different crowd, and some of our girls are new to international competition.
‘We’ve also reminded them about the fear of underperforming, the self-doubt that creeps in. That’s part of the growth process.’
Rayco, Olaguir find groove
ALAS Pilipinas is finding its rhythm just as Xyz Rayco and Resty Olaguir are rediscovering their groove.
Key players in the Alas Pilipinas Girls squad that earned the berth in this world meet through the Asian Women’s U16 Championship last year in Jordan, Rayco and OIaguir revived their old connection and pushed the Philippine team to a 2-1 win-loss record.
After an opening loss to defending champion China, world No. 25 Alas Pilipinas has taken down higher-ranked foes in succession, downing No. 8 Mexico before sweeping No. 20 Tunisia at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe.
That put Alas Pilipinas in second spot in Pool B, behind only defending champion China, with two playdates left in the preliminaries. The top four advance to the Round of 16.
With Olaguir running the offense, Rayco found the openings that had eluded her in the first two matches.
‘It feels different when she sets ne the ball, it feels like I can really kill it,’ Rayco said. ‘Of course, I’ll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with.’
The 16-year-old Rayco, top offensive threat in the Asian U16 meet in Jordan, finished with 13 points on 12 attacks and a block, including two of Alas Pilipinas’ final three points to seal the nerve-racking first set.
‘I’m happy because everyone contributed. I’m also happy with my game because I was able to show how I really play. I’m satisfied even though I made mistakes because I was able to bounce back and show who I am as a player,’ Rayco said.
‘The past two days, I didn’t feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn’t satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I’ll keep this going.’
Olaguir said she didn’t expect to be fielded with Irish Mahinay running the offense, but the Ateneo setter settled in when Alas hit a shaky stretch in the opening set.
‘I’m happy I got in and contributed. I think I’m slowly getting back to the way I really play,’ Olaguir said.
‘There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don’t let my emotions get the better of me.’
Caera Celis continued her stellar play and wound up as Alas Pilipinas top scorer for the third straight match, delivering 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks.
Sharina Rhyza Lleses came up with 10 points, all from attacks, for the Philippines, which returns to action after the tournament break on Sunday as it battles world No. 6 Peru on Monday and end up pool play against No. 12 Venezuela on Tuesday.