The Philippine women’s volleyball team made quick work of Singapore, 25-17, 25-14, 25-13, to advance to the semifinals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Thursday, May 11, at the Indoor Olympic Stadium in Cambodia.
Skipper Alyssa Valdez, who finally returned to action for the first time since sustaining a knee injury in December, delivered the clincher with an through-the-block kill as the Filipinas finished their pool play with a 2-1 slate.
Valdez missed out on the the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference to recover from the injury and didn’t play in their the first two matches in the biennial meet.
After coming off a straight-set beating at the hands of Vietnam a day prior, the nationals set the tone the rest of the way.
Meanwhile, Thailand and Indonesia are now through the next round after a 1-2 finish in Group A.
Vietnam and Philippines will now face Thailand and Indonesia in the crossover semifinals to determine who will emerge victorious for the finals showdown.
The Philippines hasn’t stepped foot on the podium in 18 years and has settled for fourth place in the past three editions.