Manila: The Philippines banked on Xyz Rayco and Resty Jane Olaguir to sweep Tunisia, 27-25, 25-19, 25-16, Saturday in the FIVB Girls' U17 World Championship at Liceo Particular Mixto San Felipe in Chile. Rayco scored 13 points on 12 attacks and a block as Alas Pilipinas Girls improved to a 2-1 record.

According to Philippines News Agency, the world No. 25 Philippines took the second spot in Pool B, trailing defending champion China, with two playdates remaining in the preliminaries. The top four advance to the Round of 16. The Alas Pilipinas Girls earned the berth to the world meet through a fifth-place finish in the Asian Women's U16 Championship last year in Jordan.

"It feels different when she sets the ball. It feels like I can really kill it. Of course, I'll work hard to be able to play my best whoever I share the court with," the 16-year-old Rayco said in a news release Sunday. Rayco credited teamwork for the victory and felt fulfilled after overcoming her mistakes.

"The past two days, I didn't feel like I was playing the right way. I felt like I played poorly. My teammates said it was fine, but I wasn't satisfied, so today I really wanted to bounce back. I'll keep this going," she added.

Although she did not expect to be fielded while Irish Mahinay was running the offense, Olaguir quickly settled in when Alas hit a shaky stretch in the opening set. "I'm happy I got in and contributed. I think I'm slowly getting back to the way I really play. There are still a lot of things I need to work on. I hope this continues and that I don't let my emotions get the better of me," Olaguir said.

Caera Celis topscored for the Philippines for the third straight match, delivering 15 points on 13 attacks and two blocks. Sharina Rhyza Lleses chipped in 10 points, all from attacks. After the tournament break on Sunday, the Philippines will face world No. 6 Peru on Tuesday, 5 a.m., and will end pool play against No. 12 Venezuela on Wednesday at 2 a.m. (both PH time).