Cheer Up, PH Volleybelles!

Aside from basketball, many Filipinos are zealous on watching our Filipina volleyball players as they try to have podium finish in the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Games. After their impressive performance in the 19th Asian Volleyball Cup held in the country, the PH team, which is spearheaded of local superstars Alyssa Valdez and Jaja Santiago, will compete against powerhouse Thailand and Vietnam. The latter team lost to our players during the AVC Cup. The coach and his players know that Vietnam team are vengeful and the way towards gold is not a piece of cake.

The journey started last Thursday when they faced the host Malaysia. They swept the three sets, 25-18, 25- 11, 25-16 that gave a glimpse of hope to bag a medal. The winning streak of our team was stopped by Vietnam players by not giving any set last Friday. The scores were 26- 24, 25- 12, 25- 23.

There was still a chance to bring home a medal but they need to beat Thailand. As expected, the fight went difficult for the ladies that made them bowed down to the Thais who won three sets: 25- 21, 25- 17, 25- 17. This upset relegated our players to a bronze match.

Yesterday morning, our volleyball heroes fought Vietnam anew. Filipinas won the first set, 27- 25. However, Vietnamese dominated the three consecutive sets (22-25, 20- 25, 21- 25) that ended the goal of our players to land in the podium. The last time we entered the medal table of the said sport happened in 2005 Manila Games.

Despite the loss, the team improved the country's standing in the biennial multisport events from number five in the Singapore Games to number four.

Even though you were not able to bring home any medal, we are still proud of you. Reaching the SEA Games is an achievement. We join the team in good times and bad times as well. Don't be dispirited. There is till a room for improvement. Don't be affected with the people who are denigrating your sacrifices. For us, you are still our champions. You are the new sports heroes that inspire many girls to be part of the national team. Maybe in the 2019 SEA Games, the team will clinch a medal. God bless all of you!