MANILA , Philippines – At the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Monday, August 29, Chinese Taipei defeated the host Philippines in a close match, 28-26, 25-21, 25-21, to complete their 2022 Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Cup for Women campaign.

In a “not that bad but could have been better situation”, the Philippines finishes sixth in the 2022 AVC Cup for Women, This is its highest result in an Asia-level competition since 1983. Not that bad after all. This leaves more room for growth and improvement for the Philippine Volleyball team composed mainly of PVL Creamline.

With 12 points from 11 attempts, Ced Domingo led the losing team. He also had 1 block. Pangs Panaga and Jema Galanza each scored 8 points, Michele Gumabao contributed 9, and the nation finished sixth, improving from ninth in 2018 to its best finish in the competition. 

After falling behind two sets to none, the Philippines fought back with a strong 8-5 start in the third, but the Taiwanese mounted a comeback to take the lead at 16-13 at the second technical timeout with a performance of their own. 

Chinese Taipei fired off a 4-1 winning kick to formally claim fifth place in the nine-nation competition, despite the Filipinas’ continued efforts to force a 20-20 tie after a Galanza off-the-block shot.

After trailing at set point, 20-24, the Philippine team, which was playing in its sixth match in seven days, appeared destined for a straightforward loss in the opening set. Gumabao, however, spearheaded a determined comeback that reached its height at 26 all before the Taiwanese smashed two straight kills for the drawn-out outcome. 

The Chinese Taipei team again reached its height in the finale with a 6-2 push for the 25-21 conclusion and the two-set advantage. The Filipinas rallied despite tiredness in the second as Gumabao pushed for a 19-all draw. 

This is the Philippines’ best finish in an Asia-level competition since 1983, despite the nation missing out on a podium position in the AVC. So it really is not that bad, as mentioned earlier.

Later that evening, Japan won the continental championship’s first gold medal, breaking China’s dominance with a victory over China in the finals by scores of 25-23, 25-21, 19-25, and 25-16. 

The triumph made up for the Japanese team’s defeat to the Chinese in the Thailand city of Nakhon Ratchasima’s 2018 competition. 

The Japanese were led by Mizuki Tanaka, who scored 19 points, and Miwako Osanai, a replacement, who scored 15.

Scores at the end of the Match

Chinese Taipei with 2 set wins

Philippines with 1 set win

Scores per set

1^st set – 28-26

2^nd  set – 25-21

3^rd and Final Set for the Tournament – 25-21 in favor of the Chinese Taipei