The Philippine Women’s National Volleyball Team defeated Iran on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena, winning for the first time in the 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women. The result was 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14. 

After a depressing third set, the Nationals, who were played by Creamline, came back with a 14-7 lead in the fourth to win the match, 25 – 14. 

The Philippines, who are at 1 – 2, are tied for third place with the Iranians.

Basically tied at 15, the Philippines went on a 7 – 4 final run, completed by Michele Gumabao’s down-the-line hammer, to win the first set of the competition for the nation, 25-19.

PH team’s coach Sherwin Meneses says, “‘Yung game ngayon siguro nag continue lang ‘yung improvement every game kasi nung first [two games] maganda naman ‘yung nilaro ng team kahit hindi nakuha ‘yung wins especially kahapon.”

(In today’s game, maybe the improvement continued every game because in the first [two games], the team played well even though they didn’t get the wins, especially yesterday.)

In the second set, the Nationals overcame a 15–18 deficit by going on a 10–4 run that put them 25–22 away from a sweep. 

But the Iranian team exploded into the third with a 13-6 run to extend the match with a 25-20 score. 

A tournament-high 21 points were scored by Jema Galanza, including eight in the fourth set victory. 

Gumabao scored 13 points, Tots Carlos scored 14 points on the strength of 12 attacks and two block kills. 

The Nationals improved upon their blockless performance versus China yesterday by producing 11 blocks this time.

After scoring a combined three points yesterday, middle blockers Ced Domingo and Jeanette Panaga came through today, scoring nine points each in the victory. With 13 points, Elahe Shahdehsari was the only Iranian in double digits, and Mahsa Kadkhoda, the captain, got nine.

Young South Korea will be the Philippines’ next opponent. A victory will guarantee the host a place in the quarterfinals.

Scores per set are as follows:

First set 25 – 19

Second set 25 – 22

Third set 20 – 25

Final set 25 – 14

Win goes to the Philippines.