SOROCABA, BRAZIL—The Philippine national women’s volleyball team defeated host Sesi Sorocaba in straight sets, 25-13, 25-19, 25-18, 25-17, 15-9, during their tuneup match on Tuesday at the Sesi Clube here.

Ces Molina was a formidable presence on the floor, tallying 20 points, including four blocks and four service aces while Jaja Santiago added 13 points with the same number of blocks for the PH spikers, who have been slowly getting into the groove six days into their training camp.

It was their second game against a Brazilian club team following the national squad’s meeting against Sao Caetano, the reigning champion of Superliga B, just a day after their arrival from a long 36-hour journey from Manila.

Opposite spiker Mylene Paat likewise did a splendid job with 12 points, highlighted by 10 attacks while Alyssa Valdez, Kat Tolentino, Ria Meneses and setter Kyle Negrito made a good account of themselves in asserting their dominance over the under-21 Superliga C mainstay.

“This is the first time we really played as a team. I’m not satisfied, but it’s a fresh start. We have to get better everyday,” said head coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, who fielded in middle blocker Dell Palomata, Kat Tolentino, setter Kyle Negrito, open spikers Jema Galanza and Molina as starters.

They didn’t disappoint de Brito after the PH squad took control early and coasted along in the opening capped by a Molina block.

The Brazilians stormed back from four points down early and fought the Filipinos toe to toe until Santiago and Molina combined their efforts and Paat scored two straight service aces that again brought down the hosts.

Team captain Aby Marano and Alyssa Valdez helped Team Philippines build a commanding lead, 12-3, before Sesi Sorocaba threatened to overhaul the advantage to the delight of over a hundred school children cheering for the hosts.

Paat and Valdez then joined forces with a variety of attacks that finished off the Brazilians in the third set. During the fourth set, it was the time of Ria Meneses to shine , efficiently delivering on the defensive end despite the limited time on the floor.

Galanza and Tolentino continued to shine with help coming from Iris Tolenada and Majoy Baron in the extra set before Santiago saw a hole in the Brazilian defense for match point.

“They played much better compared to the first game, pero siempre hindi pa rin perfect. Malayo ang nilaro nila compared to the first game,” said Philippine National Volleyball Federation executive board member and national team chairperson Tony Boy Liao.

“You can now say na nagkaka-amuyan na sila,” added Liao.

The PH spikers will next face the under-21 Barueri club team twice in a row on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning.

The team is going through intensive training here for two weeks in preparation for the 31 t Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam on May 12-23.