Santiago: On the strength of two huge victories over world No. 8 Mexico and No. 20 Tunisia, plus a gritty stand in a 19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-19, 11-15 loss to world No. 12 Venezuela on Tuesday at the Liceo Mixto San Felipe, the Philippines joined powerhouse teams China, USA, Korea and Poland in the knockout phase of the FIVB Girls U17 Championship in Chile.
According to Philippines News Agency, by making it to the final 16, the Alas Pilipinas Girls have surpassed the Bryan Bagunas-led squad that fell just short of that stage at 19th in the FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship last year in the Philippines, and the team which placed 18th in the 1974 FIVB Women's Volleyball World Championship in Mexico.
Caera Celis had 24 points from 22 attacks and two aces, while Xyz Rayco added 19 from 17 attacks, a block and an ace, as the Philippines closed pool play with a 2-3 win-loss record.
Jhaynna Bulandres chipped in eight points on six attacks and two blocks. Alas Pilipinas, which also boasts Madele Gale, Resty Olaguir, Frances Ramos and Jhenica Sadia, takes on South Korea for a place in the last eight on Wednesday in Los Andes.
"China is clearly on a different level. But against the rest of the pool, I believed we had a chance, if only we had more time to train and gel. Still, they've matured a lot playing matches at this level," said head coach Edwin Leyva in a news release Wednesday.
The team placed fifth at the Asian Volleyball Confederation U16 Women's Championship in November last year to secure a World Championship berth.
Team manager and assistant coach Karl Chan is pleased to see Megan Hernandez, Princess Manzano, Irish Mahinay, Taj Teves, Nadeth Herbon, and 14-year-olds Sharina Lleses and Jello Mauricio make their mark this early.
'It's fulfilling to see these kids succeed and achieve more, because it's the start of their journey in international volleyball. We're looking forward to seeing these 14 players be future national team players in the senior level,' said Chan.
Colina Lezama Yalesca Lileagne and Amanda Estefania Pacheco Gonzalez scored 27 and 15 points, respectively, for Venezuela, which finished pool play with a 3-2 record and will face Chinese Taipei in the Round of 16.
