Brooke Van Sickle had an impressive Alas Pilipinas national women’s volleyball team debut, but it was not enough for them to defeat Vietnam, 25-20, 25-21, 25-21, in the VTV Women’s International Cup on Sunday night at the Vinh Phuc Gymnasium in Vietnam.
The Filipina-American volleybelle finished with 12 points, coming off nine attacks, two service aces, and a block, as the Philippine squad opened their campaign on the wrong foot.
Leila Cruz spearheaded the offense for Alas Pilipinas women with 13 markers, coming off 11 attacks, one block, and a service ace, while MarJana Phillips contributed 10 points in the loss.
Van Sickle, a two-time Premier Volleyball League MVP winner, immediately made her presence felt, combining with Cruz to give the Nationals an 18-16 edge in the opening set.
The Filipinas’ energy and aggressive play kept Vietnam on their heels early, but the home squad responded with a clinical 9-2 finishing kick, led by the duo of Vo Thi Kim Thoa and Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, to steal the set.
Despite the setback, the Filipinas refused to back down. Vietnam jumped ahead in Set 2 with a 19-12 lead behind sharp attacks from Tran Thi Bich Thuy, but Alas Pilipinas mounted a spirited rally.
Van Sickle continued to shine with a smart tool off the block, while Dell Palomata’s service ace and a miscue from Vi Thi Nhu Quynh brought the deficit down to just two, 21-19. The rally, however, fell short as the hosts leaned on their veterans to close the door.
In the third frame, Phillips provided a spark in the middle, knotting the score at 15-all. They stayed within striking distance behind contributions from Alleiah Malaluan, but a key 5-1 spurt by Vietnam secured the win for them.
Alas Pilipinas women return to action on Monday afternoon against Sichuan Wuliangchun of China before they conclude their group stage campaign against Australia on Tuesday.
The post Brooke Van Sickle bumida sa Alas Pilipinas debut pero talo pa rin kontra Vietnam first appeared on Fastbreak.
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