TEAM PHILIPPINES—composed of the Ateneo Lady Eagles— opened their campaign in the 2016 ASEAN University Games with a loss to Indonesia in four sets on Monday, July 11 at the National University of Singapore Multipurpose Sports Hall 5.

The team currently holds a 0-1 standing heading in the 18^th ASEAN University Games Women’s Volleyball tournament, while Indonesia stands at 1-0.

The Philippines looked strong early in the game as Bea de Leon and veteran Alyssa Valdez led the offensive charge. However, the Phenom and her team spelled numerous errors on the return and miscommunication between middle hitters that repeatedly punished the Ateneo side. On the other hand, Ponggay Gaston held the fort in reception, knocking in several crucial blocks to give the team the first set at 25-21.

A 5-point rally from Indonesia in the second set silenced the Philippine squad, with Salsabila Nandita Ayu and Purnama Arsela Nuari proving to be more than a match for the star-studded Lady Eagles. Three consecutive spikes from Bea de Leon brought the Philippines within striking distance at 12-15 later on, but an onslaught of offensive mishaps eventually sealed the deal for the team, costing them the second set.

Coming off from a powerful performance in the last few points, the Indonesians carried their momentum on the court into the third with the duo of Ayu and Nuari, keeping up a lethal pace to finish the set. With the exploitation of the errors opened by Philippines’ defense, Indonesia took the third and the advantage going into the fourth.

Needing a win to force a do-or-die fifth set, the Philippines entered the next set missing their usual open spiker as coach Tai Bundit chose to sit Valdez for the rest of the game. Despite the decision to bench the three-time Most Valuable Player of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), de Leon admits that the substitution reflected a long- term investment for the Lady Eagles.

“I think coach wanted us to experience playing without her [for a reason],” shares de Leon, “The point of this whole thing other than representing the country is getting to play as a team in the post-Alyssa Valdez in the UAAP.”

But despite the on-court absence of the Lady Eagles main source of firepower, the Philippines kept a close game throughout the fourth, trailing Indonesia closely early in the set. Kim Gequillana and Jho Maraguinot stepped up on the court, knocking in several timely spikes to fight off a relentless Indonesian squad.

De Leon and Maraguinot also kept the team’s hopes for a final set alive with back-to-back scores, but ultimately a service error from Michelle Morente brought the game to a close, ending the fourth at (25-22).

Team Philippines will face Thailand on Tuesday, July 12 at 2pm in the National University of Singapore Multipurpose Sports Hall 5.