There is always this saying in ballgames or in any other sports that the ball is round, or anything can happen.
It did in the FIVB Volleyball Girls U17 World Championship in the Chilean capital, where the Alas Pilipinas Girls pulled the rug from under the Mexicans, 25-19, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, Friday and registered their first win in the second edition of the biennial event.
It was also a triumph that bolstered the Filipinas’ hope of crashing into the round-of-16 as it jumped from last to a share of second with Venezuela and Peru on 1-1 records in the six-nation Pool B.
For it to happen, the Nationals would need to finish in the top four in their group.
Leading the bracket was defending champion China, which dealt Alas a straight-set spanking the day before.
Caera Celis spearheaded the attack with 24 points on 22 attacks, a block and an ace, while Xyz Rayco scattered 15 hits, including 12 off kills, and Jhaynna Bulandres chipped in 10 for Alas Girls, who are being supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and ASICS.
But it was the master switch by Alas coach Edwin Leyva of Nadeth Harbon from wing spiker to libero that spelled the biggest difference as it helped solidify the squad’s floor defense after a lethargic effort in the stinging loss to the Chinese.
‘I’m happy because I think I did what was needed on the court. I’m happy my teammates are pleased with the result. I’ll embrace this role all the way to the end,’ said Harbon.
The Philippines was battling Tunisia as of this writing before the 11-day, 24-country meet takes a break Sunday.
Games resume Monday, with Alas tackling Peru and plunging back into action the next day versus Venezuela in its final pool assignment.