Team Rebisco now looks forward to a modest fifth-place finish in the consolation phase following an 25-11, 25-19, 25-18 loss on Monday to four-time Thailand League winner Nakhon Ratchasima Qminc VC where Ivy Lacsina and Faith Nisperos pulled off potent performances.
“We may have had some ups and downs, but we have a lot to improve on,” Nisperos said after the one-hour and 28-minute match. “But I am so happy spiritually seeing how my teammates and I are really trying to fight.”
That was the third loss in as many matches for Rebisco, who refused to be bullied to the sides by an opponent that has played much longer together that the Filipinas’ two- to three-month training, no thanks to more rigid health protocols back home.
The consolation round is meant for teams who do not make the semifinals of the 21st Asian Women’s Club Volleyball Championship that the Thailand federation is hosting in Nakhon Ratchasima, which has since become one of the host’s sports hub since it hosted the 2007 Southeast Asian Games.
“We are really trying to apply what we have learned from Coach Jorge [Edson Souza de Brito],” said Nisperos, who rifled in eight of 11 spikes, made five blocks and a team-best nine points to compliment the six kills from Nisperos who entered match as a substitute in the second set.
“This is a learning experience for us, and for sure we can take all the lessons from here moving forward,” added Nisperos, who made 14 points on attacks at the Terminal 21 competition hall bubble.
Despite the defeat, Brito praised his wards for showing nigh fighting hearts.
“Even when they didn’t play well in the first set, they picked their game up in the second and third set,” Brito said. “This is really important … inside the match, you are always going for improvement.”
“For sure, we will be really preparing for the next match and do our best always,” added Brito, a member of the Brazilian team that won the men’s gold medal in the Barcelona 1992 Olympics.
Rebisco will play in Wednesday’s classification round against the loser of the quarterfinals duel between Choco Mucho and Supreme Chonburi of Thailand.
Rebisco’s participation, as well as that of Choco Mucho, in the championships are supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, Rebisco, Taguig City and Asics.