The Philippines fell short against Vietnam, 25-19, 25-17, 31-29, Sunday night, Aug. 21, at the start of the 2022 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Feeling the absence of Alyssa Valdez, Jia De Guzman and coach Sherwin Meneses due to health reasons, the Nationals rose from a 16-10 deficit before finally succumbing in the crunch to absorb their first loss in Pool A.
Libero Kyla Atienza, who stepped up with her deep digs against Vietnam’s powerful spikers headed by Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, was still proud of their match despite the loss.
“Kahit di kami ganung kakumpleto, lumaban pa rin kami hanggang dulo,” Atienza said.
“Inisip ko na lang din na mag-enjoy lang sa game kasi kailangan ako ng team ko ngayon.”
Vietnam needed four match-point advantages to clinch the win, with a block from Doan Thi Xuan and a net error from Tots Carlos sealing the victory.
Tran erupted for 20 points on 17 points and two aces for the Vietnamese, while Pham Thi Nguyen Anh and Tran Thi Bich Thuy chipped in 10 points apiece.
Jema Galanza, for her part, led the Nationals with 13 points even as Michele Gumabao added 11 points.
The Vietnamese overpowered the Nationals on all fronts, firing more spikes, 45-37, posting more blocks, 13-7, and making more aces, 5-3.