THE Philippines shoots for a semifinals berth as it battles Southeast Asian queens Thailand in the AVC Cup for Women quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena Saturday.
First serve is at 8 p.m.
The country hurdled Iran and young South Korea to finish third in Pool A with a 2-2 record. The Thais, the 2012 champions, placed second in Pool B with a 2-1 slate.
Coach Sherwin Meneses is no stranger to such big time moments, as he was one of coach Dante Alinsunurin’s trusted assistants in the Philippines’ historic silver medal run in the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. One of the highlights was the country’s stunning reversal of the Thais in the semifinals.
“Iba yung pakiramdam kasi women’s to men’s yun tapos assistant coach ako don sa men’s. Dito, head coach na ako. Masaya ako na na-experience ko yung men and women group,” said Meneses.
“Hopefully, makapanalo tayo ng isa dito na mabigat kasi yung Thailand kilala naman natin sila. Pero bilog ang bola. Last time sa men’s, napanalo natin yun. Hopefully, sa women’s makapanalo,” he said.
Regardless of the result, the country has already surpassed its ninth place finish in the 2018 edition in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
One of the most-anticipated match-ups is between setter Jia de Guzman and Thai counterpart Pornpun Guedpard, who became the country’s top playmaker after legendary Nootsara Tomkom retired from her national team duties two years ago.
“Pornpun is playing for the national team for the longest time. We know how fast-paced she can set, she has the height. So we will do our best that we can,” said De Guzman, who is on her first international stint since the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019.
Pornpun has high regard on De Guzman’s play.
“Yes I have met her in the SEA Games. She is a very good player, very good setter. I think she can bring the best of them,” said Pornpun on De Guzman.
All eyes will be on the Philippines’ top guns Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Michele Gumabao on how they will fare against Thailand aces Chatchu-on Moksri, Sasipapron Janthawisut and Pimpichaya Kokram.
In other quarterfinal matches, Pool A winners China will face Pool B’s No. 4 Australia at 2 p.m., while Pool B topnotcher Japan will play Pool A’s No. 4 Iran at 5 p.m.
Pool A runner-up Vietnam and Pool B’s third placer Chinese-Taipei will open hostilities at 11 a.m.
The semifinals will be played Sunday while the medal and classification matches will be held on Monday.